



(J5<o 



Class 
Book 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSH 



THE RUSLING FAMILY 



r 







JAMES FOWLER RUSLING, LL.D. 
From a photograph, 1890. 



p 

THE 

rusling Family 

By 

JAMES F. RUSLING, A.M., LL.D. 

COUNSELLOR AT LAW N. J. AND U. S. ; BRIGADIER GENERAL U. S. VOLS. 
(BREVET); MEMBER OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY N.J. ; REVOLUTIONARY 
MEMORIAL SOCIETY N. J. j SONS OF AMERICAN REVOLUTION N. J. J 
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC U.S., NEW JERSEY ENCAMP- 
MENT; MILITARY ORDER OF THE LOYAL LEGION U.S., 
PENNSYLVANIA COMMANDERY, ETC., ETC. 




PRINTED FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION 

BY 

J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY 

PHILADELPHIA 
1907 



mi^n&im&a&iaa^ 1 






)NGRE9S 



| LIBRARY of CON 
Two Cepiss Rtceiveb 

DEC 23 1907 

GoDyrigft'. tntry 

CLASS Cv KXc. m 

COPY B. 






Copyright, 1907 
By James F. Rusling 




preface 



By request of many relatives and friends, I am giving in this 
volume some account of what I have ascertained about our people, 
for our private information only, in order that what I have learned 
by years of inquiry and study may not perish with me. Of course, 
I cannot give a full account of everything and everybody, but must 
be content with what I have found fullest or seems most note- 
worthy. Some of the family, I regret to say, have seemed indif- 
ferent to their Family Records, or have kept them imperfectly, 
like most Americans. But I shall do the best I can, and beg par- 
don in advance for errors and deficiencies. 

Perhaps I should add, I entered upon this task over a quarter 
of a century ago, but have held this volume back from year to 
year for further data (some never obtained, though much sought 
for), and now give it to the printer, as the best practicable. 

J. F. R. 
Trenton, New Jersey, 
i9°7- 




Contents 



CHAPTER PAGE 

I. — James Rusling i 

II. — Mary Fowler Rusling 22 

III. — Hannah Rose Rusling 44 

IV. — Hannah Rusling 45 

V. — Joseph Rusling 49 

VI. — James Rusling (Second) 60 

VII. — William Rusling 63 

VIII. — Hannah Fowler Rusling 66 

IX. — Gershom Rusling 69 

X. — General James Fowler Rusling 80 

XI. — Sedgwick Rusling 93 

XII. — Mary Elizabeth Rusling 97 

XIII. — Robert Rusling 99 

XIV. — John Rusling 102 

XV. — Mercy Rusling 104 

XVI. — Jacob Rusling 106 

XVII. — Other Ruslings 107 

XVIII. — Henry Hankinson no 

XIX. — Aaron Hankinson 1 13 

XX. — William McCullough (and Benjamin McCullough) 125 

Addendum 148 

Index 149 



Illustrations 



James Fowler Rusling, LL.D FrontUpUce 

All Saints' Church, Winterton, England 14 

The Fowler Homestead, Winterton, England 22 

Rev. Joseph Thomas Fowler, D.C.L 24 

Thomas Valentine Fowler. 26 

William Fowler, Antiquary 30 

Rev. Joseph Rusling 50 

Gershom Rusling 70 

Silhouettes op Gershom Rusling, Thomas V. Fowler, and Rev. 

Joseph Rusling 74 

General James Fowler Rusling, U. S. Vols 80 

'Escutcheon of General Rusling 92 

Henry Hankinson no 

General Aaron Hankinson 114 

Mary Snyder Hankinson 116 

Colonel William McCullough 126 

Elizabeth Budd McCullough 134 



"The knight's bones are dust, 
And his good sword rust; 
His soul is with the saints, I trust.'! 

— Coleridge. 



"Those who do not look upon themselves as 
a link, connecting the past with the future, 
do not perform their duty to the world." 

— Daniel Webster. 



Gbart of IRuslfng family 

Counties TLincoln anD Korft, J6nfllani> 



ROBERT and CHRISTIANA RUSLING 



William; James. 1762-1826; Ann, 1764-1769; Robert, 1766; Hannah, 1767-1837; Thomas, 1771; Georgb, 1773; Ann, 1776-1777* 



James Rusling = Mary Fowler, May 15, 1787; Jambs Rusling = Hannah Rose, nie Frazer, April 2, 1810 



b. York, Eng., 
July 26, 1762 
rf. Newburgh 
N. J., Aug. 11 
1826. 



b. Winlerton 
Eng. , Nov. 23, 
1766; rf. New- 
burgh, N. J., 
July 25, 1809. 



I 
Joseph 

b. Scunthorpe, 
F.ng.. May 12, 
1788; d. I'hila., 
Pa., July 4. '*>39- 



James (2) 
b. Scunthorpe, 
ling., Aug. 8, 
1789; d. East on, 
Pa., Dec. 7, 1848, 



William 
b. Hull, Eng., 
July 18, 1791; 
d. Simcoe, 
Can., Feb. 28, 
1872. 



Hannah Fowler 
A. Hull, Eng., 
Aug. 21, 1793; 
d. Knoxville, 
111., Aug. 14,1881. 



I 
Gershom 
b. New York, 
U.S. A., Sept. 
1, 1796; d. 
Trenton, 
N. J., Feb. 5, 
1881. 



Sedgwick 
b. Newburgh, 
N. J., April 
24, 1799; d. 
Lawrence- 
ville, Pa., 
March 7, 1876. 



b. Schooleys Mt., 

Nov. 17, 1776; 

d. April 14, 1848, Hope, N. J. 



r 



Mary Elizabeth Robert 



b. Newburgh, 
N. J., Nov. 4, 
1804; rf. Tren- 
ton, N. J., Oct. 



b. Newburgh, 
N. J., Jan. 1, 
1812; d. 
Hacketts- 
town, N. J., 
Aug. 5, 1879. 



John 
b. Newburgh, 
N. J., March 
6, 1813; d. 
Hainesburg, 
N. J, Jan. 16, 
1896. 



Mercy 
b. Newburgh, 
N.J., Oct. 11, 
1814; d. June 
15, 1892, near 
Albion, Mich. 



Jacob 
b. Newburgh, 
N. J., Nov. 17, 
1815, d. New- 
burgh, N.J. 
Aug., 1826. 



GERSHOM RUSLING and ELIZA B. HANKINSON et al. 



Gershom Rusling 


= Eliza B. Hankinson, March, 1825 ; Gershom Rusling = Hannah Matthews, July 7, 1841 ; Gershom Rusling = Sarah Hill, Dec. 13, i860; 


b. New York, 


I b. Asbury, N. J., 




b. Mt. Pleasant, 




b. Flemington, 


U. S. A.. Sept. 1, 


April 13, 1803; 




N. J., Oct. 22, 1786; 


N.J., Sept. 18,1816; 


1796; rf Trenton, 


rf Washington, 




d. Trenton, N. J., 




rf. April 28, 1887. 


N.J.,Feb.5,i88i. 


N.J.,Dec. 3, 1838. 




May 19, 1858. 
No issue. 




No issue. 


1 
William McCulloui-.h 


! 

Ann Maria 


1 
Emma 


1 
Gershom (2) 


James Fowler 


1 
John P. B. 


Eliza Keturah 


Henry Hankinson, 


b. Washington, N. J., 


b. Washington, N. J., 


A. Washington, N. J., 


b. Washington, N. J., 


b. Washington, N. J., 


b. Washington, N. J., 


b. v\ ashington, N. J., 


Jan. 1, 1828; rf. Trenton, 


April 5, 1830; d. Lam- 


May 5, 1832; m. Isabell 


April 14, 1834; i«. Mary 


Sept. 19, 1836; d. Wash- 


Sept. 13, 1838; rf. Tren- 


Feb. 28, 1826; rf. Tren- 


N. J., Dec. 13, 1872; m. 
Dr. Edmund Hance, 


bertville, N. J., March 


Ross, Feb. 5, 1857; she 


F. Winner, dau. Rev. 


ington, N. J., Jan. 9, 


ton, N. J., Aug. 4, 1858. 


ton, N. J., Sept. 14, 


30, 1873; in. Stacy B. 


d. July 22, 1893, Ocean 


Dr.WinnerJan.1,1858. 


1838. 




1907. Never married. 


Oct. 4, i860. No issue. 


Bray, June 19, 1861; dau. 
Eliza K., b. Aug 16, 


Grove, N. J. Has Liz- 


She d. April 19, 1858. 










zie B., b. Sept., 1859, 


No issue. Re-m. Emily 










1863, i». Wm. Cox, Jan. 


Miriam H., b. Dec. 1, 


W. Wood, dau. Isaac 










22, 1889, Phila., Pa. 


1864, Lillie A., b. June 
14, 1867. Lizzje B. i«. 
Frank Jarvis, Feb. 24, 
1885; no issue. Miriam 
H. m. Dr. Fred F. C 
Demarest, Sept. 3, 1889; 
has Theo. F., Fred. R., 
William C. 


Wood, Esq., Trenton, 
N. J., June 30, 1870. Has 
James Wood, b. May 
H, 1874, and Emily 
Wells, b. October 18, 
1884; both living, Tren- 
ton, N.J. 







* Christiana rf. 1776; Robert re-m. Sarah Chimney, 1779; issue, Katherine, b. 1780; Edmond, b. 1781. 



James IRusling 




HE RUSLINGS are of English origin. The 
name has been written "Rusling" during 
the past century and longer. But in pre- 
vious centuries (sixteenth, seventeenth, and 
eighteenth) it was also written "Rustling," 
"Ruslyng," "Ruslinge," "Ruslin," "Russ- 
lin, " and "Russelin, " according to the old 
parish registers of England. Possibly de- 
scended from the Rosslyns of Scotland (adjoining England), or 
the Rosselyns, Rosselynes, Rocelines, or Rosselines of England. 
Perhaps of old Saxon origin. The Saxon kings had a body-guard, 
called " Rustlingas, " and hence the name, possibly. 1 

The first Rusling in America, that I know of, was my grand- 
father James Rusling, after whom I was named. He came here 
from Hull, England, in 1795. He settled first in New York, but 
soon removed to New Jersey, and his descendants are now found 
in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, California, Illinois, Texas, and 
Canada. They are not numerous, and all of that name now in 
America, it is believed, are descended from said James Rusling, 
except a branch in Michigan, Iowa, and Oregon, none of whom I 
have ever met. 2 

This James Rusling was born in Hull, England (or Kingston- 
upon-Hull, as written over there), July 26, 1762. Hull is on the 
Humber, east coast of England, in Yorkshire adjoining Lincoln- 
shire, and has long been the third seaport of Great Britain — after 



1 Rev. J. T. Fowler, D.C.L., Winterton, England. 
1 See p. 107. 

1 



Gbe TRuellng family 



London and Liverpool. For centuries it has traded with all parts 
of the world, and sent vessels regularly to New York and elsewhere 
in America. 

Just across the Humber, opposite to Hull, lies Lincolnshire, 
its business and travel tending naturally to Hull. Here James 
Rusling was born in 1762, and was the second son of Robert and 
Christiana Rusling, pious members of the Baptist church there. 
Their entire family was as follows: William, James, Robert, 
Thomas, George, Ann, and Hannah. 

At the age of eleven or thereabouts, he was apprenticed as 
clerk to William Robinson, a shop-keeper, or village store-keeper, 
at Winteringham, a little village in Lincolnshire, about ten miles 
south of Hull. When about eighteen years of age he became con- 
verted through the instrumentality of his uncle George Rusling 
(a local Methodist preacher, I think), and soon afterwards united 
with the Wesleyan or Methodist church there. About two and 
one-half miles south of Winteringham, in same county, lies Winter- 
ton, then also a small village, but now a town of 1 500 inhabitants 
or so. Here lived a family of Fowlers, and in the course of his 
business he became acquainted with them, and, May 15, 1787, 
married Mary, daughter of Joseph Fowler there, as appears by 
the records of the parish church at said Winterton, England. He 
was then twenty-five years of age. Whether he had continued 
all the previous years (eleven to twenty-five) at Winteringham, 
I cannot say. But May 29, 1787, he executed a bond (now in my 
possession) to Elizabeth Glen worth, widow, of Crossby, county of 
Lincoln, for the sum of £223, payable in four, eight, and twelve 
months, with said William Robinson as surety; and in this bond 
he is described as "late of Winteringham, but now of Scunthorpe, 
in the parish of Froddingham, in the county of Lincoln, shop- 
keeper," which would indicate that he was then living in Scun- 
thorpe, about five miles southwest from Winterton. In this bond, 
the scrivener writes the name " Russling," but James Rusling 
himself signed it "Rusling," and paid the bond punctually when 
due, as appears by the receipts endorsed thereon, and I conclude 
that this was for money which he borrowed to go into business 
at Scunthorpe after his marriage or to enlarge his business already 
established there. He was married May 15, this bond is dated May 
29, and his surety, Wm. Robinson, was his old master or employer 



3ame6 IRuslina 



at Winteringham. It shows that he had acquired and retained 
the respect and confidence of his first employer at least. £223 
was a snug little sum for those days — over $1100 — worth $2000 
now, or more. His signature to the bond is written in a clear and 
running hand, and indicates that he was already a man of educa- 
tion and promise. This bond I found in an old desk of my father's 
(Gershom Rusling), among some old family papers, about 188 1. 

James Rusling was still in business at Scunthorpe in June, 
1787, as appears by a bill of goods to him for ^6.17.8, from Turner, 
Hawley & Co., of Kilnhurst, also in my possession, found among 
my father's old papers aforesaid. The bill would indicate a general 
variety country store. But I do not think he continued there 
long. It was a larger and better place for business than Winter- 
ingham; but, being ambitious and enterprising, he soon removed 
to Hull, 1 and continued in business there until 1795. What busi- 
ness he pursued there I do not know; but it is certain he pros- 
pered in it, for in 1795 he had accumulated enough to remove to 
New York, and take his family with him, and establish himself 
in business there, and my father and uncles used always to say 
that he brought several thousand dollars with him. There is a 
tradition in the family that, not long before his leaving England, 
he had been to London with an uncle George to purchase goods, 
and on their return they were pursued by a "press-gang" — a 
common thing there then to impress men for the navy. Being a 
fine rider and well-mounted — accustomed to horses — he leaped his 
horse over a hedge and a ditch, and so escaped. But George 
Rusling, being a poor rider and not accustomed to horses — of a 
sedentary and religious turn of mind — was captured and made to 
serve several years on a British man-of-war. My father used often 
to tell this, and also my great-uncle (Thomas V. Fowler, born in 
England), and so there ought to be some grains of truth in it. 

His father-in-law and family objected to his emigrating to 
America. There were only sailing-vessels in those days, and 
America seemed a distant part of the globe then. But he was of 
democratic principles and tired of monarchical government, and so 



1 Since writing the above, I have discovered accidentally that he prob- 
ably remained at Scunthorpe until 1790. His son James was born at Scun- 
thorpe 1789 and William at Hull 179J, and between these dates he likely 
removed to Hull. 

3 



£be IRusitng family 



he resolved to go to a free country, where he and his children would 
have "a fair start and an equal chance in the race of life," as 
Abraham Lincoln once said. From old letters in the family it 
seems he was then known and criticised in England as "James 
Rusling the Radical," and much was said and done to dissuade 
him. But his wife sided with him, and accordingly in July, 1795, 
with his wife and four children (Joseph, James, William, and 
Hannah), and his sister Hannah, he embarked at Hull, and in 
October following arrived at New York, after a voyage of nearly 
three months. Here is a letter of his, just on the eve of their em- 
barkation, to his father-in-law: 

t^ t^ n/r Hull, 7th July 1795. 

Dear Father and Mother, ' J J 

This will serve to inform you that we have taken a Ship to carry us to 
New York, and we expect to sail next Wednesday; therefore make your- 
selves as easy as possible. As we have very little time, we shall not be able 
to come over to see you. Therefore, we shall be glad to see you at Hull, 
before we go, but hope you'll avoid doing anything that will in any manner 
hinder us, as we are determined, and if by the kind Providence of God we are 
permitted to see the American Shore have not the least doubt but shall 
find the same Good Providence blessing vis there. I shall be much obliged 
if you'll please send William home this week. 

I am, Dear Father & Mother, 
Addressed, Yours, &c. 

Jos. Fowler, Winterton. Jas. Rusling. 

Apparently sent by private hand. 

Here is another, just after his arrival in America: 

_. - ,, New York, 8th October 1795. 

Dear Father and Mother, 

I am glad in embracing the first opportunity to inform you of our safe 
arrival at this place on Monday last after a passage of ten weeks. The first 
four or five weeks of the passage we had very good winds, but the latter 
part of it we had scarce anything but head winds. We all during the former 
part of the passage were very sick, except William and Hannah, and they 
were quite as well as on shore, except the first and second day. My wife 
was much the worst amongst us, but we all now find ourselves as well as we 
have done for a number of years. Upon the whole we have the greatest rea- 
son to be thankful, for tho' we had so long a passage it proved better than 
if we had had a shorter, for they have had at this place a very bad Fever 
which had carried off very great numbers, and in some degree still continues, 
though nothing near so bad as it has been. I think it very near of the same 
kind of Fever that we had in Hull last year. We have taken the best pre- 
cautions we can. I yesterday had the good fortune to meet with a very com- 



3ames IRusltng 



fortable house in a part of the town where sickness has not been. The sick- 
ness has quite altered the face of things in this City, for people are afraid 
to come to town, on which account provisions are very dear, and trade is 
very bad, but the people seem to have no doubt of things returning to their 
former course in a short time; for as the sickness is the cause, when that is 
removed the effects will no doubt cease. The people in general here tell us 
ours is a good business, but as yet I cannot form any just sentiments re- 
specting it. I have reason to be very thankful that I have so wise and good 
a friend as Mr. Roades to advise with. I find him extremely kind and ready 
to do me any convenience. Since I have arrived here I find that letters 
have been received in this Town from Hull of a later date by nearly a fort- 
night than our departure, by which I learn that they have had some very 
disagreeable doings there. I am very sorry to hear of it, but it is what I 
fully expected. I wish nothing more may happen before I hear from Hull 
again. I hope by this time you'll be convinced of the propriety of my con- 
duct with respect to my leaving England, which I shall be very glad to hear. 
We find this a most plentiful country indeed, but I cannot at this time be 
particular; and as to the face of the Country from Sandy Hook to New 
York, which is nearly thirty miles, I never in all my life saw anything so 
delightful. The situation of New York is very striking. It is a small Island, 
Long Island on the one side and Staten Island on the other, and three very 
small Islands facing the North end. The Captain of the vessel treated us 
very kindly during the passage. He intends coming to Hull next summer; 
by him you'll be able to know more about us, but I hope you'll often hear 
from us before that time, and I hope often to hear from you. My wife and 
sister join in their Duty and Love — Beg you'll give our kindest Love to all 
brothers and sisters and friends and relations. Will thank you to give our 
Love and Duty to Father Rusling the first opportunity. Let them know 
that I intend writing to him the first opportunity. I found Mr. Rob't. 
Carnley here the day after I arrived. He is son to Mrs. Carnley of Burton. 
I am sorry that I have so little information to give respecting the Country, 
and how we are likely to succeed; but we have been so very little time here, 
and I thought you would be anxious to hear of our arrival: therefore, I 
thought it the best way to write you what I had. I am quite ashamed to 
send you so blundered a letter, but time forbids me to write it over again. 

Hope you'll excuse it. 

I am, Dear Father & Mother, 

Yours very Affectionately, 

Direct to me at Jas. Rusling. 

Mr. Jottens, Grocer, 

Byard Street, 1 Bowrey, New York. 

Addressed, 

"Mr. Jos. Fowler at Mr. Wm. Hick's, Blackfryer's gate, Hull," and 
endorsed "Rec'd. this letter at Winterton, the 13th of Nov. 1795, Copy of 
Brother Rusling's first letter from America, Wm. Fowler.'! 



1 This is now Bayard Street and crosses Bowery at No. 38. 

5 



Gbe IRuslins family 



For these I am indebted to my kinsman "beyond sea," 
Rev. Joseph T. Fowler, D.C.L., of Winterton and Durham, 
England. 1 

He did not remain idle long, but early engaged in business — 
as appears by a letter dated November 21, 1796, addressed to him 
at, "Byard Street, Bowery, New York," by his brother-in-law, 
William Fowler. This was near the "Bull's Head" inn or tavern 
there. But it also appears that he had already " made a purchase 
of land" (October 12, 1796), but did not remove there until 1797 
or later. 2 This was at or near Newburgh, Morris County, New 
Jersey, near Beattystown, New Jersey, about two and one-half miles 
southwest of Hackettstown, New Jersey, and was called the " Bes- 
wick Tract," in whole or part. There were a number of English 
families already there — the Egberts, Upjohns, Kimbles, Rowlands, 
Downs, etc., — and the place was known as "the English Settle- 
ment." 

This land consisted of several hundred acres, embracing the 
Musconetcong Valley and a part of Schooley's Mountain (if not 
the famous Mineral Springs there), and he thought himself a rich 
landed proprietor — if not immediately, yet sure to become so, as 
he unquestionably would. But after residing there a year or two 
his title was attacked, and long litigation ensued (as often happened 
then), and he came out of the lawsuit with only one hundred acres 
left, on the northerly side of Schooley's Mountain, with a humble 
log-house upon it, and the rest of his fortune spent in costs, counsel 
fees, etc. 

Meanwhile the man he had purchased of had disappeared, 
with the money paid him, and so James Rusling was thus reduced 
from comparative affluence, acquired by himself, to comparative 
poverty again. The above facts were often told me by my 
father, and when a lad, in driving with him from our home at 
Washington, New Jersey, to Hackettstown and return, on visits 
to relatives there, he used to point out the said "Rusling Farm" 
and the old log-house where he lived when a boy. 



1 See p. 24, etc. 

2 For I have another letter from said William Fowler and Joseph Fow- 
ler (his father) dated April 30, 1797, and addressed: "Mr. Jas. Rusling 
near Bull's head, Bowery Lane, New York." 



3ames IRusltng 



Here James Rusling lived 1 for several years, with a growing 
family of sons and daughters about him. They farmed the farm 
as best they could, and for a further livelihood he went first to 
teaching school in the neighborhood, and afterwards (following 
his old commercial instinct) to clerking in the store of John Bird 
and Elisha Bird at Newburgh, or Beattystown, near by. Here 
presently he went into business for himself, and after a while 
started two other stores also — one at Andersontown, some six 
miles west, and another at Washington, about nine miles west. 
He put one of his sons (James) in charge at Andersontown, and 
another (Gershom, my father) in charge at Washington. But the 



'As bearing upon the above, since writing it I have chanced upon the 
following, in a book published since then: 

"The Beswick Tract (located) Dec. 8, 171 7 of 1702 acres embraced 
the English Settlement. Fronts on Musconetcong (Creek) opposite Beattys- 
town, and runs halfway there to Hackettstown. Crosses road to Schooley's 
Mountain."— See Map of Washington Township, T. F. Chambers' Early Ger- 
mans of New Jersey, page 176; also see page 476. 



SCHOOLEY'S 
MOUNTAIN 




"The English Settlement, through which the road from the Springs 
(Schooley's Mt.) to Hackettstown passes, formed part of the large Beswick 
Tract of 1702 acres. Several families of English people settled upon this 
land at the beginning of this century. They were the Rawlings, the Rus- 
lings, and De Roses. Some dispute arose as to the title, and an agreement 
was entered into 25th September, 181 7, in consequence of which a new survey 
was made, and the land was divided into lots and assigned to James Upjohn, 
James Rusling, and Anthony Rawlings, so far at least as to give them the 
share of Ann Bland, while the rest went to the heirs of Ann Dickerson, 
the other heir of Francis Beswick." — T. F. Chambers' Early Germans of 
New Jersey, page 176. 



ZTbe IRusIina family 



firm name of all three stores was "James Rusling & Sons." In 
August, 1822, or thereabouts he was visited by Thomas V. Fowler, 
a younger brother of his wife (then living in New York), who then 
wrote to "Mr. Jos. Fowler, Winterton, near Brigg, Lincolnshire, 
England," as follows: 

Things are much improved with them (James Rusling and family) 
since I was there before. He has built a new house and store, with a barn, 

etc., and has a delightful garden, in which he takes great pleasure 

The Muskinakunk, 1 a fine, clear, rapid stream, runs close to the foot of the 
garden, and the Schooley Mountains (at the foot of which lies the Farm) 
rise majestically beyond, and above the ancient forest stretches away to 
the Southwest far as the eye can reach, broken into fine masses close up to 
the head of the valley, with the Ackawooctey Mountain, at the foot of which 
and surrounded by other hills is a clear circular lake of uncommon beauty. 
The famous Mineral Spring is not half an hour's walk from my brother's, 
and is at this season of the year the resort of fashionable visitors from New 
York and Philadelphia, 2 which makes it very pleasant, as they often call at 
brother's store in their rambles around the country. King Joseph Bona- 
parte 3 was there the week before I went. 

He thus prospered again somewhat, accumulating $10,000 or 
$12,000 probably, and died August 11, 1826, in the sixty-fourth 
year of his age, and was buried in the graveyard of the Methodist 
Episcopal church at Washington, Warren County, New Jersey. 
But in 1892 when that part of the graveyard was needed for a new 
parsonage, his remains and gravestone were removed by my 
brother William Henry and myself to Asbury, New Jersey, and 
placed by the side of my father, mother, and others of our own 
family there, in the " Rusling Plot, " in the graveyard of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal church there. 

James Rusling was evidently a man of good English education. 
His early letters and book-accounts show that he wrote well and 
grammatically, and spelled correctly as a rule, which is more than 



1 Musconetcong now. 

2 "These waters (Schooley's Mt. Springs) have been used with very 
considerable success, but perhaps the exercise necessary to get to them, and 
the purity of the air in this lofty situation, aided by a lively imagination, 
have as great efficacy in curing the patient, as the waters." "It is a strong 
chalybeate and very cold." — Morse's Geography, 1789. 

3 He then lived at Bordentown, N. J., and visited Schooley's Moun- 
tains every summer. 



3ames IRuslino 



most men in his station did in his day. He had the gift of speech 
and used it on public occasions, though troubled somewhat with 
stammering, a defect he transmitted to at least two generations 
of his descendants. He was a keen business man, and possessed 
much shrewdness and force of character, as evidenced by the 
recovery of his fortunes. He was once nominated for the As- 
sembly, but defeated, because a foreigner and "bloody English- 
man," as my father used to tell. He was a devout Methodist the 
most of his days, and became a tower of strength to Methodism 
in all that part of New Jersey, in the years when it most needed 
him there. His house at Newburgh early became a "preaching 
place" for Methodist preachers, in the days when they had no 
churches, and his son Gershom (my father) used often to relate 
how he had seen Rev. David Bartine (father of Rev. D. W. Bar- 
tine, D.D.) stand in the doorway of his father's house and preach, 
while the mob outside would hurl stones and brickbats at him. 
These would graze the aged minister's head, but never hit him, 
and the old hero would preach right on, indifferent to such 
bigotry and violence. He (J. R.) was choir leader in the Methodist 
Society at Hackettstown, New Jersey, 1805 (as appears by a list 
of his class in my possession), and subsequently became recording 
steward of Asbury Circuit, when it embraced all Northern New 
Jersey and parts of New York and Pennsylvania, and continued 
to be until his decease, and was then succeeded by his son Ger- 
shom (my father) for many years. 

As I have said, he was of Baptist origin, but early became a 
"Freethinker," and continued of that mind until mature manhood 
or so. About that time one Joseph Dawson, a Methodist local 
preacher, lived at Winterton, and felt it his duty frequently to 
exhort and preach there and in that neighborhood, which was 
only about fifteen miles from Epworth, the home of the Wesleys. 
This did not please the mob there, and accordingly they pelted 
him with dead cats and rotten eggs, and often broke up his meet- 
ings altogether. He was a pious and inoffensive old man, and such 
treatment roused the ire of James Rusling and a little band of 
"Freethinkers," consisting of himself, Joseph Fowler, George 
Ramsey, Daniel Spilman, and others. Like true Englishmen, 
they believed in free speech as well as free thought, and accord- 
ingly they organized themselves into a body-guard for old Mr. 



Gbe IRueltna family 



Dawson, and, arming themselves with "hedge-stakes," stood guard 
at his meetings, and escorted him to and from his home. And 
ultimately they became so much impressed with his spirit and 
doctrines that they all became converted and joined the Methodist 
Church themselves. And subsequently one of Joseph Fowler's 
daughters (Mary) married James Rusling, and another (Elizabeth) 
married a son of said Dawson, and went to live in London. 1 

The earliest Ruslings I have been able to discover are "William 
Ruslyng and Alice his wife." In the manor records of Scotter, 
near Kirton-in-Lindsey, a town about four miles from Bottesford 
Manor, Brigg, Lincolnshire, or about fifteen miles from Winterton, 
in the year 1563 these " Ruslyngs" made complaint against William 
Freeman and Isabella his wife for detaining "one aumbrey, value 
6S and 8d. " An "aumbrey" is a cupboard! So, in the parish 
registers of the same place appears the following entry: 

"1588 Annas Ruslinge XXIst of August, (baptized)." 

Doubtless these were far-away kin of ours. The above, sent me 
in 1 88 1, by Edward Peacock, Esq., of Bottesford Manor aforesaid, 
who also then wrote, that: "In the Lincolnshire Directory of 
1868 there are two Ruslings, both farmers — James Rusling of 
Epworth, and S. Rusling of Wroot. Both of these places are in 
the Isle of Axholme." 
Next is the following: 

Extracts from the Registers of the Parish of Winterton, Lincolnshire. 

A. D. 

1600 Marche The 15 daye was Annas Ruslinge daughter of Brian bap- 
tised. 

1602 October The eight daye was Robert Ruslinge sonne of Brian 
baptised. 

1603 February The first day was Robert Ruslinge sonne of Brian buried. 
[Note. — This would be 1604 by our reckoning. The year then began 

with March 25.] 

1606 Julie The 20th day was Marie Russelin the daughter of Brian bap- 
tised. 



x In 1851 a Joseph Dawson lived at 38 Kingston Street, Hull, England. 
He was her grandson, likely. He and Thomas V. Fowler exchanged letters 
1850-1851. 



3ames IRuslina 



1609 Aprill the 1 day was Elizabeth Russelin the daughter of Brian 
baptised. 

October the 13th day was Elizabeth Russelin the daughter of 
Brian & Ellen buried. 

1610 November The 25th day was Antonie Russelin the sonne of Brian 
& Ellen baptised. 

Christnings Anno Dni 1613. 

Robert the sonne of Bryan Ruslin and Hellin his wife September 

the XVIIIth. 

Christnings Ao Dni 1614. 

[Name omitted] the sonne of Bryan Ruslin and Hellin his wife 

October 15. 

Marriages, 1618. 

John Abye & An. Russlin were married the Maii 20. 

Marriages, 1628. 
Mathew Browne and Mary Rusling. Aprill XX. 

Burials, 1636. 
Ellin Wife of Brian Ruslin. Mar VI. 

Burials, Anno Domini, 1638. 
Bryan Ruslin. March [date illegible]. 

The Register is missing from 1639 to 1653. The family seem 
to have left Winterton, as the name does not appear again until 

Marriages, 1724. 
May 25. Edward Russlin & Ann Labram were married May ye 
twenty fifth. 

1763 Banns of Marriage between Wm. Stephenson of this parish Widow 
[sic] and Ann Rossling of the Parish of Broughton — wid w were pub- 
lished on the three Sundays underwritten — viz — April 10-17-& 24. 
1763. A. Weatherhead — Vic r 

(They are "underwritten" in ye book. The Marriage probably was 
at Broughton.) 

1773 George Mickelfitch 1 of this parish Batch r and Sarah Rusling 
of this parish Spinst r were Married in this Church by Banns this 25 
Day of November in the year One Thousand Seven Hundred and Sev- 
enty three by me A. Weatherhead Vic r 

This Marriage was solemnized f George X Micklefitch's Mark 

between Us. \ Sarah Rusling 

In the Presence of [ John Fowler — Jn° Stephenson. 



1 Mr. Joseph Fowler, who remembers these parties well, says that " ye 
Bridegroom always went by ye name of Michaelwaite — not Micklefitch. It 
was probably a mistake of ye then Vicar, as ye man does not sign his own 
name." 

11 



£be IRueling family 



1773 Joseph Rusling of this Parish Batch r and Sarah Broadley of this 
Parish Spinsf were Married in this Church by Banns this 25 th Day of 
November in the Year One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy 
three by me A Watherhead — Vic r 

rr,. ,, . . j f Joseph X Rusling's Mark 

lhis Marriage was solemnized \ "L ,, „ , ,» ■> 

, ° TT Sarah X Broadley s Mark 

between Us -^ „ T _, 
T .. t, , Wm. Parkinson. 

In the Presence of „ . 

[ Richard Atkinson 

1787 James Rusling of the Parish of Winteringham and Mary Fowler 
of the Parish of Winterton were Married in this Church by Banns this 
fifteenth Day of May in the Year One Thousand Seven Hundred and 
eighty-seven by me Birkett Forrest Curate 

This Marriage was solemnized f James Rusling 

between Us j Mary Fowler 

In the Presence of [ Mary Whitehead Jos. Fowler 



1808 Samuel Andrew of this Parish and Elizabeth Rusling of this 
Parish were Married in this Church by Banns this seventeenth Day of 
May in the Year One Thousand eight Hundred and eight by me Wm. 
Harrison — Vicar 



f Samuel Andrew 



This Marriage was solemnized I „ „ „ , , 

. ° TT ! Elizabeth Rusling X her mark 

between Us ■{ T _, T . 

T Jt , James Brawck John Andrew 

In the presence of "1 . 

r { Elizabeth Andrew 



Copied from the Registers of Winterton Parish by Edw* S. Wilson 

Vicar 
May 20, 1881. 

Next is the following: " From ye Registers of Winteringham, 

Lincolnshire, 1738 to 1791": 

James, son of Robert & Christiana Rusling — bapt. 23 Aug. 1762. 
Ann, daughter of Robert & Christiana Rusling — bapt. 30 Mar. 

1764. 
Ann, daughter of Robert & Christiana Rusling — bur d 7 Aug. 

1769. 
Robert, son of Robert & Christiana Rusling — bapt. 30 Ap. 1766. 
Hannah, daugh: of Robert & Christiana Rusling — bapt. 6 

Nov. 1767. 
Thomas, son of Robert & Christiana Rusling — bapt. 19 Ap. 

1771. 
George, son of Robert & Christiana Rusling — bapt. 17 Oct. 

1773- 
Ann, daugh: of Robert & Christiana Rusling — bapt. 17 Ap. 

1776. 
Ann, daugh: of Robert & Christiana Rusling — bur d 9 Feb. 1777. 
Christiana, Wife of Robert Rusling — bur d 13 Dec. 1776. 



3ames IRusltng 



Robert Rusling, Shoemaker, & Sarah Chimney, Spinster, Mar d 

16 Dec. 1779. 
Katherine, daugh: of Rob*& Sarah Rusling, bapt. 29 Sep. 1780. 
Edmond, son of Rob 1 & Sarah Rusling, bapt 4 6 Nov. 1781. 

Extracted by E. S. Wilson 

and J. T. Fowler, 

Dec. 1881. 

Of course, the above is authentic, at least back to my grand- 
father James Rusling, "baptized 23 Aug. 1762," being born July 
26, 1762. Evidently he was born at Hull, and his parents shortly 
afterwards removed to Winteringham, only ten miles distant. So 
this record does not give the name of "William," his oldest 
brother (p. 2), because he was born and baptized at Hull. 
Whether said James Rusling and his father Robert were lineally 
descended from said "Brian Rusling" of 1600, of course, I can- 
not say. But Brian had a son Robert, too, and Robert, George, 
Joseph, Ann, Elizabeth, Mary, are still common Rusling names; 
and, therefore, I conclude, if not a progenitor, said Brian was at 
least related to us. 

Accompanying is a cut of the old Winterton Church aforesaid 
(now and long called "All Saints"). 

And here is some description of it, from an address in June, 
1888, by Rev. Dr. J. T. Fowler, our kinsman beyond sea. (See p. 24.) 
' ' Winterton, anciently Winterington — the town of the Winter- 
ings, an Anglian or Saxon tribe who have left their name also at 
Winteringham close by, and at Winterton on the coast of Norfolk 
— is a place of considerable though uncertain antiquity. Its situa- 
tion around a place of springs and the frequent dis- 
covery of implements of stone and bronze in the neighborhood, 
render it probable that there was a settlement here in prehistoric 
times, while the Romans have undoubtedly left their mark on 
every side of us. We cannot point to any beginning of Winterton, 
as we can to the beginnings of Durham, Hull, Middlesborough, 
and some other places. We cannot be quite sure that the Romans 
settled any nearer to where we now are than Roxby and the Cliff. 
The tun or farm-enclosure of the Winterings is the first thing that 
we can feel any certainty about. There is no mention of our 
town, so far as I know, in any writing earlier than the Domesday 
Survey. But its history would be that of other English settle- 

J 3 



Gbe IRuslina family 



ments where the Danes came, and after them the Normans. The 
first Angles or Saxons who came over would be worshippers of 
Woden and Thor, and their posterity would continue in heathen- 
ism until the light of the Gospel began to shine in the dark places. 
This may well have been not long after the conversion of King 
Edwin at Godmundham, close to Market Weighton. We all know 
how Coifi, the heathen priest, was also converted, and how he set 
fire to the heathen temple and the hedge round about it. The 
glow of that fire would be seen in the sky from 'Winterington,' 
as we now see the glow from the Scunthorpe Iron Works. Sooner 
or later the heathen folk on this spot would hear of the burning 
of the great temple, and very possibly Paulinus may have preached 
here, and have baptized the first converts at the place of springs. 
. . . . And here, as everywhere, the good seed sown in faith 
soon bore much fruit. 'Winterington' became Christian, and 
some rude church, probably of wood, like the log houses of our 
settlers in the far West, or the ancient church at Little Greenstead 
in Essex, or of wattles of osier or hazel plastered, a mode of build- 
ing not yet extinct in Hampshire, would be built, doubtless on the 
site occupied by our present church, namely, the top of the ' Wire 
Hill.' After a while arrived the heathen Danes, burning and 
destroying churches and houses wherever they came, but in their 
turn, too, at a later period, converted to the faith of Christ, and 
rebuilding or repairing the churches which they or their fathers 
had destroyed. But to whom or to what time the first ecclesiastical 
foundation here is due, we have no knowledge; we can only con- 
jecture that there would be a church soon after the people became 
Christians. 

" The oldest part of the existing church is the lower part of the 
tower, which much resembles that of Alkborough church. Both 
are Primitive Romanesque, but late in the style. Mr. Goulton 
Constable has given reasons for his attribution of the Alkborough 
tower to one Thorold, about the year 1052, and I would suggest 
that a church, to which the lower stages of our present tower 
belonged, may not improbably have been built here by the famous 
Hugh Lupus, the first Norman Earl of Chester, who was the 
principal landowner in Winterton when the Domesday Survey 
was taken, and, as we know, a great church builder in the days 
of his old age and penitence. He died in August, 1101, and at any 

14 



3amc0 IRuslina 



rate the work may be of about that time. Thence to our own 
time successive ages have left their impress, and written their 
tale upon the fabric. As it stands at present, it consists of a long 
chancel with modern vestry and organ chamber, north and south 
transepts, a nave with north and south aisles, an engaged west 
tower, and north and south porches, a noble plan indeed for a 
purely parochial village church. Externally, the whole of its 
outlines, owing to the form of the present roofs, present a broad 
and misshapen appearance; the tower, however, still stands well, 
though not so well as it would if properly led up to by high-pitched 
roofs. It is only by a careful examination that we become aware 
of the many points of interest that the church presents, or can 
understand the successive changes it has undergone. The chief 
and leading change has been a general rebuilding on a larger 
scale, about A. D. 1200, at which time the Norman tower was 
retained and an upper story added to it. The chancel is some- 
what later, probably 1240 or 1250. I have already mentioned the 
earliest portion of the existing church, — namely, the lower stages 
of the tower. These, although primitive in style, are not the 
earliest Saxon or English of King Edwin, or Benedict Biscop, or 
St. Wilfrid, but are in the latest phase of our oldest style, scarcely 
earlier, I should think, than the towers below hill at Lincoln which 
were built between 1068 and 1086; the Winterton work is pos- 
sibly later. This tower would stand at the west end of an aisle- 
less nave, perhaps shorter than the present one, at the east end 
of which would be a short chancel with an arch similar to the tower 
arch which we still have. This short chancel was probably square 
ended, like those at Bradford-on-Avon and at Escombe. The 
primitive eleventh-century building forms our starting point so 
far as existing walls go, but it includes a relic of a church earlier 
than itself, in the inner lintel of the tower doorway, to which I 
shall presently call your attention. It was probably narrow and 
lofty, with very small and perhaps unglazed windows, white- 
washed I dare say within and without, and with very little archi- 
tectural adornment of any kind. Such may have been the first 
stone church at Winterton of which we have any knowledge. 
I have conjectured that it may have been built and endowed by 
Hugh, Earl of Chester, in the reign of William the Conqueror. 
Now this Earl Hugh appointed one Nigel to be constable of Chester, 

*5 



Gbe IRusltng family 



and it was a great-grandson of this Nigel, namely, John de Lacy, 
hereditary constable of Chester, who made over to his new founda- 
tion of Malton Priory the Church of Winterton, the patronage of 
which may have been conferred on his ancestor Nigel by Earl 
Hugh. This transfer to Malton took place during the episcopate 
of St. Hugh of Lincoln (i 186-1200), whose charter confirming it 
is in the Malton Register at the British Museum (Cott. MS. Claud- 
ius D. xi). We there ascertain further that Winterton Church 
was dedicated on the Vigil of St. Mark A. D. 1203, by Robert of 
Shrewsbury, Bishop of Bangor, acting for William de Blois, Bishop 
of Lincoln. This would be the dedication of the nave, aisles, and 
transepts. The chancel appears to have been dedicated forty-two 
years later, as we shall see directly. The nave, aisles, and tran- 
septs are of the Early English or Lancet period, while the chancel 
is Early English passing into Geometrical Decorated. The windows 
of the aisles and the great windows of the transepts are all inser- 
tions, or much altered. The south aisle windows perhaps belong 
to the same period as the large transept windows, but those on 
the west and north, with intersecting tracery, are Early Decorated. 
Allowing for windows, roofs, etc., the church as completed by the 
Canons of Malton would be in its main features what it is now, 
and on the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, A. D. 1245, it was 
again dedicated, by Christinus, Bishop of Emly, in the presence 

of the great Robert Grosteste, Bishop of Lincoln Of 

the state of the church in the sixteenth century we may gather a 
few particulars from Mr. Peacock's Monuments of Superstitions, 
in which we have an account of all the church furniture which 
was destroyed here, in or shortly before 1566. We cannot tell 
what the parishioners thought of the dismantling of their church 
at this 'putting awaie of all papistrie.' There is no doubt that 
many things which had been abused to superstitious purposes 
were better removed, and that there were many abuses which 
had to be dealt with by strong measures. We will not enquire 
too closely into the motives of those who enriched themselves 
while forwarding the State policy, but rather be thankful that 
all the essentials of religion, with our ancient parish churches 
were preserved to us. 

"The last of the vicars before the full development of the 
Reformation was William Morley, probably one of the old family 

16 



3ames IRusItng 



of Morley of Holme in the parish of Bottesford. . . . Within 
100 years of his death began the Civil War, which, as De la Pryme 
says, 'by ye great Infidelity and wickedness that is brought into 
the Nation, made Churches so contemptible that dureing ye same 
a great many of them were totally ruin'd and others suffr'd to 
fall to ye ground for want of Repairs. This particularly of this 
Town was, through ye same, in such a state of Decay that for 
many years after ye Restoration there was scarce either a bit of 
glass in ye windows or of Lead upon ye roof or any good Timber 
about it. It lay almost open to all Storms, so that if either Rain 
or snow fell ye congregation were sure to suffer thereby. Thus 
it continued until that Mr. Tho. Place, a most worthy gentelman 
of ye same Town and general Promoter of everything that is great 
and good, begun to commiserate its sorrowful condition and re- 
pair ye same, which he so effectually promoted and performed 
that in a few years all its Breaches and Cranies were mended, its 
Roof most of it cover'd with new Timber and Lead, its windows 
new glaz'd, its floors new lay'd, its old seats turn'd into Oak Pews, 
its walls beautify'd, its Bells new Cast, and its yard made Level, 
Handsom and Neat, and most of this at his own propper costs 
and charges, so that it is now on of ye most Beautifull Churches 
in ye Country.' 

" De la Pryme in his Diary gives us a graphic picture of a 
scene in Winterton at this time : ' I remember that awahile ago I 
was with ye pious and learned Mr. Thomas Place, Winterton, who 
told me that when he began at first to build and repair that church, 
that there met him suddenly in the street a grave old long-bearded 
quaker, who accosted Mr. Place thus: "Thou Place," says he, "I 
have a message to thee from God, who commanded me to tell 
thee that thou must desist in going out 1 this work of the devil, 
ye repairing of ye steeple house of this town! " And then ye quaker 
stamped at him and denounced several woes against him if he did 
go on. These unexpected words so frightened and surprised Mr. 
Place that his hair stood almost upon an end, but having considered 
hereof, he fell more hard to ye work than ever, haveing really 
taken this fellow to have been employed by ye divel to stop ye 
same. ' 



1 Sic; perhaps for "carrying out" or "going on with.'! 

[2] 17 



Gbe IRusltng family 



"As repaired by Mr. Place, the church seems to have had a 

lead roof of very low pitch The present roof and the 

brick patchwork by which the walls were adapted to receive it, 
were made late in the last century. The square pews of panelled 
oak, and the gallery, pulpit, and reading-desk to match, were very 
good of their kind and suitable for times when people went to 
church for simultaneous private devotion rather than for public 
worship as we now understand it. I well remember a good old 
lady who when she heard something about the pews being done 
away with said quite seriously, ' Oh, I like to enter into my closet, 
and shut my door.' The alterations of 1845 an d 1872 were on the 
whole in the right direction, as have been those made since. 

" The registers contain many entries relating to the Place 
family. Thomas Place, gent., was churchwarden in 16 18. Another 
Thomas Place, gent., was buried July 23, 1691 ; this was probably 
the repairer of the church. A third of the same name and title was 
buried July 18, 1720; he it was, probably, at whose request De la 
Pryme wrote a short history of Winterton in 1703, communicated 
by Mr. Peacock to the Society of Antiquaries, and printed in 
'Archaeologia,' Vol. XI. If the inscription on the second bell 
be not a reproduction, there was yet a fourth 'Thomas Place, 
gent.,' in 1734. In 1699 De la Pryme wrote to Dr. Gale, Dean of 
York, an interesting letter about his travels in this neighborhood. 
He describes Winterton as ' a pretty neat town, where the worthy 
familys of the Places and Nevils inhabit, promoters and encour- 
agers of everything that is good, and great lovers of antiquitys.' 
. . . . In 1747 Mr. George Stovin, the antiquary, of Crowle 
and Winterton, wrote to Dr. Stukeley to tell him about the dis- 
covery of the larger Winterton pavement. Stukeley mentions in 
his diary the receipt of this letter, and also of a drawing, with an 
account of what they found in clearing the pavement. My great- 
grandfather, Joseph Fowler, was about thirteen years old at the 

time Mr. Stovin died in 1780, and may possibly 

have inspired with a taste for antiquities my grandfather, William 
Fowler, the antiquary and engraver, who was born in 1761. His 
first engraving, however, was not issued till 1798, from a drawing 
which he made in 1796, sixteen years after Mr. Stovin's death. 
The engraving was made by J. Hill, in London. My grandfather 
went to see the process, and, having seen it, thought he could do 

18 



3amce IRuslino 



that himself, and from that time he etched all his own copper- 
plates here at Winterton, about 114 in number, except that of the 
Horkstow pavement, which was engraved by Hill. The smaller 
pavement at Winterton, that representing Ceres with the Cornu- 
copia, was discovered in rather a curious way in 1797. While my 
grandfather was examining the larger pavement, probably com- 
paring his drawing with the original, some pupils of Mr. Grainger, 
of Winteringham, Henry Kirke White the poet being one of the 
party, amused themselves during a passing shower, while standing 
under the hedge in the dry ditch at the side of the field, by poking 
earth at one another with the ends of their sticks. This led to 
their coming on the edge of the previously unknown pavement, 
and it was at once uncovered. The engraving is not dated, but 
was one of the first that my grandfather both drew and etched 
himself. From 1798 to 1829 he was indefatigable in bringing out 
his splendid hand-coloured engravings of Roman pavements, 
painted glass, monumental slabs, and architectural subjects. He 
was a regular communicant, and never known to be absent from 
church service when at home; at the same time he was a class- 
leader among the early Methodists, and it used to be said it was 
hard to tell "whether he was more of a Methodist or a Catholic." 
He died in 1832, and was succeeded by my father, who inherited 
antiquarian tastes, and lived to see two of his sons Fellows of the 
Society of Antiquaries. My father was never one who cared to 
bring himself into public notice, or he would have been more 
known as an antiquary then he was. We are indebted to him for 
some interesting drawings illustrating Winterton church, which 
are exhibited to-day. He died in 1882, in his ninety-first year, 
retaining his old tastes to the last." 

All of which well shows the quality of Dr. Fowler's learning 
and the temper of his mind. Clearly he is an honor and a credit 
to the Fowlers, and much esteemed by his family. 

(Since writing the above, it was my good fortune to visit this 
venerable church (1899). It stands on the highest ground in 
Winterton, overlooking the town and surrounding country, and 
is a solid stone edifice, apparently indestructible. A part was 
erected before 1050, perhaps much earlier. It has a square stone 
tower, after the style of most English country churches, surmounted 
by a cock and a cross, and contains a fine chime of bells, said to 

19 



Gbe IRusltng family 



be centuries old. Five of them were recast in 1734, and one has 
been added since. One bell bears the inscription, "Daniel Hed- 
derly made us all in 1734." In 1553 there were only four great 
bells and a sanctus bell. They probably contain metal as old as 
the church itself. Many bells in England have been recast several 
times, and date back to mediaeval times. In the church porch is 
a little oaken door (a door in a door), on old iron hinges, black 
with age, and savoring of antiquity. Inside is a quaint old bap- 
tismal font, with the inscription, "He shall Baptize you with the 
Holy Ghost," and the date, "1663." The floor and aisles are of 
stone, and the seats and roof resemble oak. Over the chancel is the 
Scripture motto, " I love them that love me, and those that seek me 
early shall find me, " and on either side are the Ten Commandments 
and the Creed in old English text of blue and gold. The church 
was crowded with devout worshippers at both morning and even- 
ing services, and everybody seemed edified thereby. Outside, in 
the ancient graveyard (no longer in use) , we found our old family 
graves, and heard the same old bells ring, that have been ringing 
at their marriages and funerals there for centuries at least.) 

The Family Record of James Rusling is as follows: 

James Rusling m. Mary Fowler, May 15, 1787. 

James Rusling m. Hannah Rose (nee Frazer), April 2, 1810. 

James Rusling, b. July 26, 1762; died Aug. 11, 1826. 1 

Mary Fowler, b. Nov. 23, 1766; d. July 25, 1809. 2 

Hannah Rose, b. Nov. 17, 1775; d. April 14, 1848. 

Children of James and Mary F. Rusling. 
Joseph Rusling, b. May 12, 1788; d. July 4, 1839. 
James, b. Aug. 8, 1789; d. Dec. 7, 1848. 
William, b. July 18, 1791; d. Feb. 23, 1872. 
Hannah Fowler, b. Aug. 21, 1793; d. Aug. 14, 1881. 
Gershom, b. Sept. 1, 1796; d. Feb. 5, 1881. 
Sedgwick, b. April 24, 1799; d. March 7, 1876. 
Mary Elizabeth, b. Nov. 4, 1804; d. Oct. 3, 1876. 

Children of James and Hannah R. Rusling. 
Robert, b. Jan. 1, 1812; d. Aug. 5, 1879. 
John, b. March 6, 1813; d. Jan. 16, 1896. 
Mercy, b. Oct. 11, 1814; d. June 15, 1892. 
Jacob, b. Nov. 17, 1815; d. Aug. 1826. 



1 Buried at Asbury, N. J. See p. 8. 

2 Buried at Hackettstown, N. J., but her grave unknown. 



3ames IRusltno 



The Ruslings make no claim to armorial bearings, unless de- 
scended from the Rosslyns of Scotland 1 (County Lincoln, not far 
from the Border), in which case the following may be cited: 

Rosslyn, Earl of Co. Mid Lothian: Arms: Quarterly, ist Arg. a cross 
engrailled, 2d arg. a pale sa: 3d arg. az. a bend, betw. six cross-crosslets, 
fitchee or: 4th arg. on a chev. gu. betw. three roses of the last, barbed vert j 
a fleur-de-lis. Crests, ist, a phcenix in flames ppr. and over it the device 
"Rinasco piu-glorioso," 2d, an eagle's head erased ppr. with the words 
"Illaeso lumine solem." Supporters, Dexter an eagle, wings inverted, ppr. 
gorged with a collar arg. thereon a fleur de lis; sinister, a griffin, ppr. Motto. 
"Fight." — Burke's Peerage, 1250. 

Or they may be descended from the Rocelines, Rosselyns, 
Rosselines, or Rosselynes, of England, in which case the following 
may be cited: 

Roceline or Rosselyn (temp. Edward I); the early arms were gules 
three round buckles, argent. — Woodward's British & Foreign Heraldry, 
Vol. I, p. 393. 

Rosseline or Rosselyne (Co. Norfolk — adjoining Co. Lincoln on the east) 
arms gu. three round buckles ar. tongues in chief. Crest. A spur-rowel az. 
betw. two wings or. — Burke's Gen. Armory, 873. 

Rosselyne (Co. Norfolk) Az. three fermails or. — Burke's Gen. Armory, 

873- 

Rosselyne. Az. a cross sarcelly or: another Gu. three crosses sarcelly 
ar. — Ibid. 

Rosselyne. Gu. three square buckles betw. nine crosses crosslet ar; 
another. Gu. three buckles lozengeways betw. nine crosses crosslet fitchee 
or. — Burke's Gen. Armory, 873. 

The above facts are given for what they are worth, as they 
may interest some member of the family. They were gleaned 
from genealogical books in Philadelphia Library, corner Locust 
and Juniper Streets, Philadelphia, Penna., December 30, 1899. 

1 See p. 1. 




II 



Hilary jfowler IRusling 




ARY FOWLER RUSLING was born No- 
vember 23, 1766, at Winterton, Lincoln- 
shire, England. She was the daughter of 
Joseph and Mary Fowler of said place. 
She was married to James Rusling, then 
of Winteringham, England, in the parish 
church at Winterton, May 15, 1787, as 
appears by the parish register of said 
church. She died at Newburgh, Warren County, New Jersey, 
near Hackettstown, New Jersey, July 25, 1809, and was buried 
in the graveyard of the old Presbyterian church at Hackettstown. 
Her grave cannot be found there now, and the present old Pres- 
byterian church there was probably built over it. My father used 
to say, that he had gone to said graveyard and made careful 
search for her grave, after this edifice was erected; but could 
never find it, and was of the opinion that it was under the 
church. My aunt Mary and half-uncle Robert, both of whom 
lived at Hackettstown, used to say the same. Certainly there 
is no stone there now to mark her grave, and my brother 
William Henry and myself had her name, date and place of 
birth and death, carved on her husband's gravestone at Asbury, 
New Jersey, in 1896. 

Mary Fowler was evidently a good deal of a woman, and 
a person of force and character. When her husband lost his 
property, at or near Newburgh, New Jersey (p. 6), he also 
lost his interest in religion to a considerable degree — could not 
understand such a hard Providence, etc., — and ceased family 



flRars fowler IRueling 



"Here Mr. Wesley first preached in Winterton." Apparently he 
stood in the doorway and preached to a street congregation, the 
ground rising slightly there. Evidently this was the occasion 
mentioned by Mr. Wesley himself as follows: "Saturday August 
8th, 1 761, I preached at Winterton to such a congregation as I 
suppose never met there before. From thence we rode on to 
Barrow, where the mob was in readiness to receive us; but their 
hearts failed; so they gave only two or three huzzas, and let us 
pass unmolested." — Wesley's Journal, Vol. IV., p. 109.) 

Mary Fowler had a younger brother, Thomas Valentine Fowler, 
born 1780. He came over to America about 18 10, and made two 
or three trips back to England, thinking to stay there, but returned 
again to New York. He was a frequent visitor at my father's, 
when I was a lad, and we were all very fond of him, and always 
called him "Uncle Tommy." He was a good specimen of the 
"fine old English gentleman — one of the real old sort." He was 
rather tall, looked well and dressed well, was of pleasing address, 
and one of the finest conversationalists I ever listened to. He 
was well educated, wrote a beautiful hand, and was familiar with 
most English literature, though not with Greek and Latin, except 
in English translations. I remember he had a copy of Pope's 
"Homer," and often read and quoted from it; also Addison's 
"Spectator" and "Thomson's Seasons"; also Ovid's Metamor- 
phoses in both Latin and English, published in London, 1632, 
which he gave to me and is still in my possession. He had marked 
musical talent, playing several instruments well, and had a fancy 
for iEolian harps, which he used to make and leave (at least once) 
with every family he visited. He was exceedingly polite and 
gracious to ladies, and universally popular with them, because of 
his fine manners and polished mind. But he died a bachelor and 
never acquired much property here. He used to tell us that he 
was twice engaged in England, but his fiancee died both times 
and then he gave up the idea of marrying. One of them, a London 
lady, I believe, left him a modest legacy, but it presently dis- 
appeared. He was at Bath, then a frontier town, on the Kenne- 
beck, Maine, about the year 18 10, for a while. He returned to 
England, but finally settled in New York, where he was a school- 
teacher, a book-keeper, and a cotton-broker, and accumulated a 
few thousands, but lost all in his old age through the misconduct 

25 



Gbe IRuslina ffamtls 



of a partner. He died in the house of his great-nephew, Thomas 
V. F. Rusling (named after him), at Salem, New Jersey, April 17, 
185 1, and my father attended his funeral, as I well remember. 
I was a student at Pennington Seminary, New Jersey, preparing 
for college at the time, and in frequent correspondence with him. 
Here is a copy of a letter of his, corroborating parts of the 
foregoing, that appears worth perpetuating: 

Bath on the Kennebeck, Maine, 

29th March 1810. 
Dear Brother, 

You who have experienced what it is to be separated from family and 
friends know with what pleasure the mind recurs to home and its endear- 
ments, nor will you be disposed to doubt that mine often voluntarily and in- 
voluntarily wanders to your side of the Atlantic. I have, since my arrival 
in this country, frequently taken up my pen to write to you, and as often 
laid it down again, from an idea that I should at some future time be in a 
better mood or have something more agreeable to communicate, for except 
the gratification derived from change of scene and observation of a people 
whose character claims attention my sources of pleasure have not been 
numerous. 

That which would have given zest to every other thing (the accom- 
plishment of my commercial plans) still remains in uncertainty, although I 
am encouraged to believe that I shall eventually succeed. 

If you cast your eye on the Map you will perceive that I have traversed 
a great extent of country from the Kennebeck to the Delaware, yet in all this 
route I have seen nothing comparable to elegantly diversified views com- 
prised in a circuit of a few miles on your side of the water. Here Nature has 
operated on a large scale; hills are mountains and mountains stretch half 
across the Continent. The Schooley Mountains, at the foot of which my 
brother Rusling lives, afford an inexhaustible source of amusement to the 
curious traveller. And every day I climbed some part or other with increased 
pleasure; sometimes struck with wonder and surprise at the immense 
masses of rock which had tumbled from the heights into the valley, at others 
delighted with the discovery of some water fall hid in a recess where the 
close-pent stream bursting from the rocks above, fringed with moss and 
overhung with pendant woods formed a scene the most wild and beautiful. 
One of these merits a particular description; although I cannot do it justice, 
I will simply relate such circumstances as dwell in my memory. Having 
been informed that this was one of the most considerable of the falls I took 
my nephew Joseph for my guide and following the stream was soon embos- 
omed in the woods, which seemed desirous of screening the spot from the 
eye of the most prying curiosity. With some difficulty we arrived at the 
spot where the two sides of the mountain approaching each other formed a 
channel of rocks, over which the water tumbled with inconceivable beauty 
at least one hundred feet. Struck with admiration of the scene before me, 

26 




THOMAS VALENTINE FOWLER 
1780—185 I 

From a daguerrotype, about 1846. 



flUan? fowler IRueling 



and perceiving that the two upper falls were almost hid by the intervening 
rocks, we immediately determined on ascending the mountain to examine 
them more closely, and were amply repaid for our labour. Immediately 
above the first fall the rocks, sloping back a few yards form a new bed for 
the waters above, which rushing down a height of forty or fifty feet have 
gradually worn away the rock beneath and formed a circular pool, so regu- 
lar and uniform that it looks like the production of Art. This is a delightful 
spot. Overhung with beeches, maples, and pines, the rocks carpeted with 
ever verdant moss, it would seem the favorite of the fabulous Diana and 
her train, who reposing after the fatigues of the chase near the margin of 
the fountain, or bathing their limbs in the crystal stream, might realise all 
that the painter has pictured, or the poet dreamed. Mounting still higher 
on the rock, another fall similar to that already described presented itself. 
Here in climbing to the upper part I had nearly been precipitated to the 
bottom, from the rotten bough of a tree giving way to which I had clung 
for support. With some difficulty I attained the summit of the mountain, 
but owing to the inclined position of the rocks from no one point could a good 
view of the falls together be obtained, and least of all from below. I took 
with me some paper and pencil intending to sketch the scene, but it was of 
that peculiar kind that I knew not where to begin, and came away reluc- 
tantly without drawing a line. I was more successful on another occa- 
sion, and have also two sketches of that part of the mountain including the 
Mineral Spring, which promises to be very lucrative, should my brother 
establish the validity of his title, and is a part of the tract bought by him. 
I have also a fine specimen of Magnetic Ore which I found on the summit of 
the mountain, where is the principal waterfall. But I have already suffered 
this subject to occupy more of my paper than I intended, and will go to an- 
other more interesting. My sister whom I fondly expected to welcome me 
to this country is dead, and left (with anxious solicitude for their future 
fates) seven children, all of whom are still dependent on their father. Hitherto 
they have been employed in clearing the land in the neighborhood of their 
log hut (a very humble habitation) but the uncertainty in which they are 
kept respecting the title renders them indifferent to every improvement, 
which they know not that they shall enjoy. My brother's health seems so 
precarious and his mind so paralized from his many misfortunes and trials, 
that he appears incapable of energy or resolution, and quite the reverse of 
what I expected to have found him. He is however humble and resigned, 
devoting himself to that religion which promises him a release from trouble, 
and the enjoyment of blessedness with a partner whose character (to use his 
own words) "did him much honour, and was a pattern fit to copy after." 
My visit to that part of the country excited great curiosity, and I made a 
point of calling upon such families as knew my sister, and always with plea- 
sure as it related to her, though often to my abasement on the comparison. 
I beg to be remembered with affection to all my relations, particularly 
my Father and Mother, whom I hope I shall again be permitted to see. I 
often think of you all, particularly on the Sundays, which are observed here 
with more form, but less spirit of devotion, than with you. The snow still 



27 



Gbe IRuslina yamity 



continues and the upper part of the River is frozen. I shall however proceed 
to Augusta next week, that I may be ready as soon as anything can be done. 
I see no chance of getting away before the Autumn, which is an unpleasant 
Season to cross the Atlantic. But I hope all will be well. 

Believe me, 
Dear Br. and Sister, 

truly yours, 
Thos. V. Fowler. 

I have now seen the principal cities of America (having rode over to 
Philadelphia when at my brother's) and should certainly give preference to 
Boston, which from its fine situation and surroundings and scenery is con- 
sidered only inferior to the Bay of Naples, so much celebrated throughout 
the World. New York has now the air of an European Town, and is well 
situated for trade. The State House, which has been in hand seven years, 
is an immense pile entirely composed of Marble, and tho' unfinished makes 
a most noble appearance. At Philadelphia the uniformity of the streets 
laid out in parallel lines, with cross streets to communicate, all of them per- 
fectly straight and generally with rows of Poplars on each side, makes a most 
beautiful appearance. Many of the Public Buildings are very fine, particu- 
larly the Pennsylvania Bank, and the City Water Works, which are in a 
Chaste Style of Architecture, and built entirely of Marble. Near to the 
works (which are in the centre of a large area surrounded by tall Poplars) is 
a fountain formed by an Artificial Rock of considerable height, at the top 
of which stands a female figure holding on her finger an Eagle, from the 
Beak of which issues a Stream of Water, which falling on the moss covered 
Rocks has a pretty effect, and with a number of smaller streams rushing 
over the Rock into the surrounding Basin produces a refreshing coolness, 
which in the hot months of summer must be highly grateful and refreshing. 
The Academy of Arts is esteemed the best in the United States, but I was 
miserably disappointed and found only a few indifferent Casts from the An- 
tique, with half a dozen tolerable Pictures brought over from Europe, worth 
notice in the collection. Indeed both in Public and in Private there is more 
of Ostentation and Parade, than real excellence and merit. Everything 
must be done upon "A large Scale" and cut a figure, no matter whether it 
last or not. "It is the genius of this people," and I do believe the Ameri- 
cans conceive themselves the first Nation in the World. 

I cannot close this without -expressing my regret, that I did not bring 
with me two or three of your Choice Subjects to deposit in the Public Colleges 
which I have visited, as it is customary for Europeans suitably introduced 
to leave some testimony of their respect for Literature and the fine Arts. 
And nothing would have been so gratifying as to present to them a proof of 
the superior genius of my brother. The Catalogues, and an Advertisement 
or two which were amongst my clothes, have excited the curiosity of the 
learned Professors, to whom I disposed of them as objects curious and desir- 
able. My reception everywhere has been most flattering. Yet from what I 
have already observed you will perceive that I am in no danger of renounc- 

28 



flQan> ffowler IRueling 



ing my Native Britain for this country at present; indeed so strong is my 
attachment, and so many bonds of affection and love are entwined around my 
heart, that I think I am like the expatriated Swiss. I should droop, despond, 
and die, if I were told I must never again revisit my Native Shore. Continue 
then your prayers — for doubt not, that it is in answer to the pious peti- 
tions of my friends, that hitherto not an hair of my head has suffered; in 
all my wanderings a protecting Providence has surrounded me, and I hope 
my heart is grateful to that Being, whose "Wisdom governs and whose 
Power controls" for his continued care. 

Sunday Evening first of April. (1810) 
Addressed 

Mr. Wm. Fowler 

Winterton near Brigg 

Lincolnshire, England. 

This account of the Fowler family would be incomplete without 
some further reference to William Fowler, the eminent antiquary 
and engraver. He was the oldest son of Joseph and Mary Tomlin- 
son Fowler, and brother of Mary Fowler Rusling (my grandmother) . 
He was born March 12, 1761, at Winterton, England, and died 
there September 22, 1832. He was bred a carpenter, after his 
father, and succeeded to his father's business; but afterwards 
grew to be a builder and architect, and prospered considerably. 
Later he became interested in ancient Roman tessellated pave- 
ments, occurring frequently in Lincolnshire and elsewhere in 
England, and in old stained glass windows in country-houses, 
churches, cathedrals, etc., there, and from 1796 to 1829 gave him- 
self up to drawing and engraving them. He taught himself to 
draw and etch very skilfully, and made his own copper-plates, 
most of them very large and difficult. His sister Ann and son 
Joseph assisted him in drawing and coloring them. He traversed 
all England, though finding most in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, 
and created an industry and art quite his own. He published his 
engravings in parts, and sold them to the best people in England. 
He was patronized by George III, the royal family, Right Hon. 
Sir Joseph Banks, Bart., member of Privy Council, Hon. Admiral 
Shirley, the Archbishop of York, Bishop of Ely, Bishop of Oxford, 
Dean and Chapter of Canterbury, Dean and Chapter of Durham, 
the Duke of Marlborough, Duke of Devonshire, Duke of North- 
umberland, Duke of Wellington, Sir Walter Scott, and other 
leading literati and celebrities of the day, and acquired not only 
distinction, but a goodly competency also. His engravings were 

20 



Gbe TRusltna ffamity 



gathered into three large volumes, 27 inches by 20 inches, and are 
now found in the British Museum, Bodleian and other libraries 
in Oxford and Cambridge, Durham and Edinburgh, and elsewhere 
in England and Scotland. His grandson, Rev. Dr. Fowler (of 
Winterton and Durham), gave a complete set of these to my son 
James W. in 1896, with the request that they be left to some 
University or public library, if we ceased to care for them. They 
are now very rare, and are greatly prized by lovers of "Fine and 
Curious Books," etc. We prize them very highly, indeed, both as 
treasures of art and family heirlooms, and trust our descendants 
will never part with them. He was a regular communicant of the 
Church of England; but also a member and class-leader among 
the Wesleyans or Methodists, and was never known to be absent 
from service when at home and able to go out. A photograph of 
him made from an engraving, as "Mr. William Fowler, Winter- 
ton, near Brigg, Lincolnshire, Engraver of Roman Tessellated 
Pavements and Subjects from Ancient Stained Glass," is now in 
my possession. The original of this I found in the possession of 
a relative here and had it photographed in 1892. It had formerly 
belonged to said Thomas V. Fowler. The face is that of a bright, 
intelligent, and remarkable man, as William Fowler clearly was. 
There is a tradition in the family here that this portrait of him 
was made by himself; but from a pamphlet by W. H. B., Barton- 
on-Humber, March, 1869, entitled, "Notes on Mr. William Fowler, 
of Winterton, and His Works, Hull, 1869, printed by William 
Kirk," pp. 6 and 7, I conclude that it was painted by G. F. Joseph 
and engraved by Bond of London. It is dated June 4, 18 10, and 
"is finely executed and very rare. He is represented holding in 
one hand his engraving of the figure of Bishop King in stained 
glass, which he considered his masterpiece in that style, and the 
Stonesfield pavement as his finest specimen of Mosaic work, the 
background being taken from the Southwell Arch, his then favorite 
architectural subject." 

The author of said pamphlet says of him: "He was a note- 
worthy example of the peculiar combination of circumstances, 
which originate the development of latent genius and the carry- 
ing out of a great purpose. On the one hand, the discovery of 
Roman remains in his native town — a place of no small interest 
in an antiquarian point of view — and, on the other hand, the 

3° 




■ 



■/ '//, ' '?. / / / 

' ■ ■/ 

i 761- 1S32 

From an engraving, 1810. 



flQartp yowler IRusltna 



prompt and diligent application to perpetuate their existence. 
He had his own way to feel throughout — had all to learn by self- 
culture — and so successfully did he surmount all obstacles, and 
devote his attention to a work difficult to those even who are not 
amateurs, that he stands out a noble example of what indomitable 
perseverance and unflinching industry, combined with taste, can 
effect." (P. 9.) Again: "He was most indefatigable and hard- 
working in his antiquarian pursuits, and devoted to them all the 
time he could spare from other business. He would often work 
eighteen hours a day, and begin at three o'clock in the morning, 
and at other times work late into the night. His perseverance in 
overcoming obstacles and the patient pertinacity with which he 
adhered to the minute and laborious process of producing his 
work, were marvelous. He was of a liberal disposition, and was 
liberal as a master." (P. 5.) Said Sir Joseph Banks, one of the 
most eminent Englishmen of his day, in addressing the Society 
of Antiquaries, in speaking of his engravings of Mosaic Pave- 
ments: "Others have shown us what they thought these remains 
ought to have been, but Fowler has shown us what they are." 
Said Booth, of Regent street, London (an authority in such mat- 
ters), in i860: "The air of fidelity, here borne testimony to by 
Sir Joseph Banks in regard to these Plates, unmistakably per- 
vades the whole of Fowler's productions; of the representations 
of stained glass most especially. For general effect — in placing 
before the eye, as it were, the very object represented — it may 
be correctly said, that these pictures have hardly been approached, 
certainly never surpassed." And again: "For graphic truthful- 
ness and effect, these representations of Stained Glass and Mosaic 
Pavements have never been equaled." (P. 14.) 

He was "presented at Court," and "introduced to their Royal 
Highnesses Queen Charlotte and the Princesses Elizabeth, Mary, 
and Augusta, at Windsor Castle, where he was most kindly re- 
ceived and greatly encouraged." They each took a copy of his 
entire Works, and "he used to tell of his introduction to Royalty 
with much humour. Mrs. Goulton, who resides at Walcot Hall, 
near Winterton, had access to the Court of George III, and men- 
tioned Mr. Fowler's ingenious productions. The Queen and 
Princesses were so much struck with her account of them, that 
they wished to see Mr. Fowler. He accordingly went to London, 

3 1 



ZXk IRusling family 



and meeting with Sir Joseph Banks, who was his friend and patron, 
asked him how he should conduct himself on the occasion, being 
very nervous. Sir J. Banks simply toid him "to be himself, and 
talk as he would talk to him. " On being ushered into the presence 
of the Queen and her daughters, he was very affably received, 
and at once showed and explained to them a number of his produc- 
tions, which he had taken with him. They were so delighted, that 
he was soon quite at home in their company, and the interview 
passed off very agreeably." (Pp. 15, 16.) 

Here is a fuller account of his interview with royalty, written 
by his son, which may interest somebody: 

"In June, 1809, my father attended divine service at St. 
George's chapel, Windsor, on purpose to see the King, and was 
very much pleased with the grandeur of the place, but more abun- 
dantly so to see His Majesty look so well. 'I got close by him,' 
he says, 'so as to have touched him if I would. He looked so 
pleasant and happy, that I was delighted with the opportunity.' 
This visit to Windsor afforded my father a favorable opportunity 
for correcting and improving a happy outline he had made of His 
Majesty's profile, which he afterwards engraved on a small scale 
and presented to many of his friends in different parts of the 
kingdom. This portrait was probably a result of his early efforts 
to obtain likenesses by shadows, and it is encircled by two in- 
scriptions in the style of his old Master Teanby. On His Majesty's 
passing from the chapel, and rather shading his face as if the light 
of the fine sunshiny day were too powerful for his eyes, 'The 
King,' 'The King,' 'The King,' was whispered along the line of 
spectators, and his most loyal subject involuntarily said 'God 
bless him, ' when a person unknown (apparently a Quaker) heartily 
responded 'Amen.' l The same sentiment is preserved in one of 
my father's old memorandum books. 'God bless the King, the 
Queen, and all that noble Family, with more friends, fewer ene- 
mies, with long life, a comfortable death, and a happy eternity. 
Amen. ' 

"Mrs. Goulton, of Walcot (whose father, Colonel Sweet, was 
preceptor to the Prince of Wales), had an occasional correspond- 



1 And this was George III, too, for whom Americans have no reverence 
and most of us much irreverence ! 

32 



Hilary ffowler IRuslfng 



ence with the Royal Family of Princesses and the Queen, and 
understood that the Princess Elizabeth was having a Hermitage 
in contemplation, and therefore engaged my Father to go to Riby 
and make a set of drawings of the one there, for her to present to 
the Princess. Plans, views, and details were accordingly completed, 
in black lead pencil drawings, and after being advised by Mrs. 
Goulton and her friends, were put into a portfolio with three or 
four of the Profiles of His Majesty, and forwarded to the Princess, 
who was highly delighted with their novel execution, and gratified 
by Mrs. Goulton's having caused such a series of interesting sketches 
to be placed before her, in aid of the design she had in view. 
N. B. — This was in the summer of 1812. 

"In April, 1814, Mrs. Goulton gave my Father a note of in- 
troduction to the Princess Elizabeth, and he took the advantage, 
before he left London for Windsor, of consulting Sir Joseph Banks 
on the best mode of proceeding, who very readily and kindly gave 
every information required. I append a copy of my Father's 
letter to my Mother, a few words only being altered: 

» My dear Rebecca, " Windsor, May 14th, 1814. 

" With heartfelt gratitude I send you and my dear children the welcome 
news of my great success. I have not time to enter into particulars, but 
would just say that yesterday, about 3 o'clock, I went to the Castle under 
the direction of Sir Joseph and Miss Banks, inquiring for the Princess Eliz- 
abeth's apartments. This done I asked for her Royal Highness' own Page, 
who Sir Joseph told me I should find a very civil man, and so I found him. 
He took my name and Mrs. Goulton's letter, and very soon returned saying 
Her Royal Highness recollected my name, and would be glad to see me. 
The Page then led me through a suite of rooms to wait upon Her Royal 
Highness, and stood by me at the entrance of one until a door moved to open 
on the opposite side of the room. He then left me to myself, and Her Royal 
Highness entered with a smiling face, saying, 'Mr. Fowler! I am happy to 
see you! and I hope you are well.' She next inquired when I last saw Mrs. 
Goulton, and hoped she was then in good health. Her Royal Highness then 
told me how much she admired the small head of His Majesty, and that 
she had placed it at the front of her Prayer Book. Her Royal Highness 
next informed me how greatly the pencil drawings of the Hermitage at 
Riby were admired by all who saw them, and said, ' They are very beau- 
tiful.' Her Royal Highness then asked, 'Have you got your other drawings 
with you?' and I answered her Royal Highness, 'They are at my Inn, may 
it please your Royal Highness.' She also told me it was a fine day, and 
that she had just returned with the Queen from Frogmore, and that I must 
go down and see everything curious there, and her Page should go with me. 

[3l 33 



Gbe IRueltno family 



Her Royal Highness then said, 'To-morrow at 10 o'clock, I shall see you 
again with your drawings, and will introduce you to the Queen.' I cannot 
describe my feelings at this moment, — I must break off to say that the 
House, furniture, etc. at Frogmore are most costly things. I have written 
my remarks through all the rooms, the gardens, etc., as I went along. I 
sat down on the side of the state bed on which the Duchess of Oldenburg 
slept, and I also sat upon the chair, and wrote upon the desk, etc. I must 
leave off to tell you that to-day, at 10 o'clock, I was introduced to the Queen, 
the Princess Augusta, the Princess Elizabeth, and the Princess Mary. I 
had the honor of being addressed by the Queen, who called me by name, 
and said she hoped I was well, etc. and then inquired after Mrs. Goulton. 
The Queen and the three Princesses in the most pleasant way asked me to 
show them my works, and when I was doing this, they much admired them, 
and told me they had never seen anything of the kind they liked so well. 
The Queen likewise told me how much she admired my pencil drawings of the 
Hermitage, but I must leave off and say, that I was an hour and a quarter 
in the presence of the Queen and Princesses, who have taken my two Port- 
folios, the shrines, etc. and assured me of their recommendations. To-morrow, 
if all is well, I am to be recommended by the Princess Elizabeth to the Heads 
of Eton College. The Princess Augusta took me to one side, and told me it 
was much her desire to do her a subject, and that I should receive instructions 
how to proceed in the undertaking. There are in the grounds at Frogmore 
some buildings which are denominated the Gothic Temple, The Ruin, The 
Hermitage, The Temple of Solitude, and The Hall of General Felicity. The 
first named of them, I am to draw and publish at Her Royal Highness' 
request, who will take several of the prints and purchase the drawing of me." 

The autographs "Augusta" and "Eliza" are in my father's 
book of subscribers, and the Princesses told him that they had 
put the little portraits of His Majesty in the front of their Prayer 
Books, that they "might always have that memorial of their 
Royal Parent's person and piety before them in their devotions." 

The following is the family record of the Fowler Family as 
sent me by said Rev. Dr. Fowler, January, 1892: 

Joseph Fowler (the elder) m. Patience Smith (1st wife) July 

29, 1702. 
Patience Smith bur. Jan. 5, 17 19. 

Their Children. 
John, Richard, Robert (bap. June 21, 17191?]), Thomas, William, 

Patience, Mary (bap. Feb. 27, 1714I7]). 

Joseph Fowler m. Mary Taylor (2d wife) May 4, 1721. 

Their Children. 
Margaret (b. May 28, 1722, bap. Sept 28, 1722). 
Ann (b. Dec. 9, 1724), Elizabeth (b. May 16, 1729). 
Mary (b. 1738, bur. April 10, 1821). 

34 



(man? fowler IRuelina 



Joseph Fowler (the younger), b. 1734; d. July 6, 1822. 
Joseph Fowler m. Mary Tomlinson, June 9, 1760. 
Mary Tomlinson, bap. June 3, 1741; d. Oct. 5, 1822. 

Their Children. 
William, b. March 12, 1761; bur. Sept. 27, 1832. 
James, b. March 6, 1762; bur. Aug. 4, 1766. 
Joseph, b. Sept. 20, 1764; bap. Oct. 15. 
Mary, b. Nov. 26, 1766; bap. Nov. 28; m. James Rusling, May 

15. 1787- 
Elizabeth, b. Jan. 11, 1769; m. Jeremiah Dawson of Hull. 
Joseph, b. May 10, 1771; bap. April 26, 1771 (ace. P. R.). 
James, b. April 8, 1774; bap. May 25; bur. July 24. 
John, b. June 25, 1776; bap. June 18 (ace. P. R.). 
James, b. Jan. 21, 1779: m. Mary Harland; d. in middle age. 
Thomas, 4 b. Feb. 14, 1780; d. in America, with the Ruslings, 

April 17, 1851, interred Salem, N. J. 
Ann, b. Dec. 1, 1782; bap. same day; m. Francis Taylor, of 

London. 
Hannah, b. ; bap. June 14, 1785; d. young. 

William Fowler (the engraver, etc.), b. March 12, 1761; bur. 

Sept. 27, 1832. 
William Fowler m. Rebecca Hill, May 23, 1790; she died 

Aug. 29, 1820. 

Their Children. 

Joseph, b. Sept. 14, 1791; bap. Sept. 18; living, 1882, at Winterton. 
Rebecca, b. April 13, 1793; d. J u ty 8 > 1814. 
William, b. Jan. 30, 1795; d. Nov. 8, 1815. 
James, b. Oct. 26, 1798; d. Feb. 16, 1816. 

Mary Anne, b. April 28, 1803; m. Wilkinson Stephenson (1st); 
Thomas Clark (2d). 

Joseph Fowler (3d), b. Sept. 14, 1791; bap. Sept. 18, ; d. 

Palm Sunday, 1882, aged 91. , 
Joseph Fowler m. Elizabeth Fowler (no relation), May 29, 

1828. She was buried Nov. 21, 1874. 

Their Children. 
Rev. Joseph Thomas, 1 b. June 9, 1833. 
Rev. William, b. Feb. 27, 1835. 
Rev. Robert, b. Jan. 13, 1837. 
James, b. March 15, 1839. 
Elizabeth, 2 b. Aug. 29, 1841. 
John, b. Jan. 24, 1844; d. April 3, 1867. 



1 Baptized Thomas only, but he assumed the name of "Valentine" 
also, because born on St. Valentine's Day. 

2 Own and occupy old Fowler Homestead, Winterton, Eng. (p. 23). 

35 



Zbc IRuslinG family 



Rev. William Fowler (above) m. Ellen, 2d daughter of Thomas 
Williamson, Checkheaton, Yorkshire, Jan. 10, 1865. 

Their Children. 

Margaret, b. Nov. 1, 1865; d. Jan. 7, 1870. 

William, b. Nov. 23, 1866. 

John and Mary, b. July 7, 1869. John d. July 7, and Mary July 31. 

Margaret, b. July 4, 1871; d. Aug. 7, 1872. 

Ellen Eyre, b. Nov. 20, 1873. 

Ethel, b. Aug. 3, 1875. 

Charles, b. July 24, 1878; d. Sept. 3. 

Charles, b. Nov. 3, 1879. 

James (above) m. Annette, 2d daughter of Admiral Cheeseman 
Henry Binstead of Wakefield, Yorkshire, Oct. 15, 1865. 

Their Children. 

Wilhelmina Mary Emily, b. March 12, 1867. 

John, b. May 5, 1868. 

Charles Henry Binstead, b. July 21, 1870. 

James Francis Wickham, b. Oct. 11, 1871; d. Dec. 19, 1871. 

Joseph, b. Oct. 13, 1875. 

Mildred, b. April 13, 1875; d. Nov. 4, 1877. 

Christopher Cecil, b. Jan. 21, 1881. 

From Mary Anne Fowler, who married Wilkinson Stephenson 
(dau. of Joseph Fowler, 3d), there are also a large number of de- 
scendants living, but I omit them because not now of the Fowler 
name. The above, mainly from the parish registers of All Saints' 
Church, at Winterton, Lincolnshire, England, by courtesy of Rev. 
Dr. Fowler aforesaid, and said births, deaths, and interments 
(prior to family of said Rev. William Fowler), also mainly at 
Winterton. 

As to whether the Fowlers are entitled to armorial bearings, 
I can only say as follows: My father and my great-uncle, said 
Thomas Valentine Fowler, used often to say, that the Fowlers, while 
not of noble blood, were related to the landed gentry of England; 
that they were royalists in Cromwell's time, and had their estate 
confiscated; and that William Fowler, the eminent English anti- 
quary and engraver (brother to said Thomas V.), was once shown 
a coat-of-arms in a stained-glass window, in the hall of a manor 
house there, where he was doing some drawing, which the owner 
thereof told him was formerly the Fowler coat-of-arms, and that 
said manor house and estate rightfully belonged to the Fowler 

36 



Hilary ffowler IRusltna 



family, but had been confiscated, as aforesaid, and never restored. 
Said Thomas V. Fowler had a written description of said coat-of- 
arms, which was as follows: 

"Fowler Arms 

(Heraldick) 

in the staircase window, 

Healy Hall, Frodingham, Lincolnshire. 

Crest. 

Ostrich Head — Or — between two wings argent, 

holding in his beak a Horse Shoe azure. 

Quarterly. 

Azure and Or. In the first quarter a Hawk's 

Lure and Line, Or." 

He said he had received this from said William Fowler about 
1812 or 1813. 

This seems definite and specific. But Rev. Dr. Fowler afore- 
said (pp. 1,24, etc.) thinks said Thomas V. must have been mistaken. 
But I often heard him speak of this, as have other members of our 
family here, and it is extraordinary, if not true. Dr. Fowler, 
however, says the Frodingham Fowlers were likely a different 
branch of the family. " Frodingham is a village five miles south- 
west of Winterton, and what was 'Healy Hall' formerly is now 
the vicarage there. It was rebuilt about 1873. It was named 
'Healy Hall' from a gentleman of that name, who resided there 
and was possessed of considerable property in the Parish of Frod- 
ingham many years ago." 1 

As bearing on the above, the following may be cited : 

Fowler, St. Thomas, Co. Stafford, descended from Sir Richard Fowler 
of Foxley, Co. Buckingham. A Crusader, temp. Richard I. who by his extra- 
ordinary vigilance, having saved the Christian camp from a nocturnal sur- 
prise, received the honor of knighthood on the field, from his sovereign, who, 
says tradition, caused the crest which Sir Richard then bore, a hand and a 
lure, to be changed to the vigilant owl. Arms. Az. on a chev. (another 
engr.) betw. three lions pass, guard, or, as many crosses formee (another 
moline) sa. Crest. An owl ar. ducally gorged or. Another Crest. A cubit 
arm habited az. holding in the hand ppr. a lure vert, feathered ar. lined or- 
twisted round the arm. — Burke's Gen. Armory, 372. 



1 From Rev. Ed. S. Wilson, Vicar of Winterton, June 2, 1881, now de- 
ceased. 

37 



Gbe IRusltng family 



Also the following: 

Fowler, (Stonehouse. Co. Gloucester; granted March 13, 1606). Quar- 
terly, az. and or. in the 1st quarter a hawk's lure and line of the second. 
Crest. An ostrich's head or. betw. two wings ar. holding in the beak a horse- 
shoe az. — Burke's Gen. Armory, 372. 

Fowler, (Clifton. Co. Gloucester) Quarterly, per pale indented az and 
or. in the 1st and 4th. quarters a hawk's line, and in the 2d and 3d a lion 
pass, counterchanged. Crest. An ostrich's head couped or. in the beak a 
horseshoe sa. betw. two wings ar. each charged with two cinquefoils in pale 
az. — Burke's Gen. Armory, p. 372. 

Fowler, (Gunton Hall. Co. Suffolk) Crest. A cubit arm vested az. 
grasping in the hand ppr. a hawk's lure vert, string twisted around the arm. 
— Burke's Gen. Armory, p. 372. 

There are also 16 other Fowler Arms given in Burke. 

The above are not unlike the "Fowler Arms" (p. 37), indeed 
are much the same, and the facts are given for what they are worth, 
as they may interest some member of the family. They were 
gleaned from genealogical books in Philadelphia Library, corner 
Locust and Juniper Streets, Philadelphia, Penna., December 30, 
1899, — and subsequently. See also Burke's Landed Gentry and 
Matthews, American Armoury. 

As bearing on p. 37, and seemingly corroborative (more or 
less), I append the following " Account of origin of Fowler Family," 
copied by me September 18, 1899 (subsequent to writing most 
of foregoing), when at Winterton, England, visiting Rev. J. T. 
Fowler. Dr. Fowler showed me the original one evening and al- 
lowed me to copy it, condensing it somewhat. The original is 
headed : "Copied by J. T. Fowler from a MS. in the handwriting 
of his father, Joseph Fowler, of Winterton." It seems of some 
historic value, and hence I give it, as follows : 

"The earliest acct. of my Father's ancestors is traditional and 
describes them as being resident on their own estates at Froding- 
Ham, in the N. W. cor. of the County of Lincoln, in the former part 
of the reign of Charles I. One of them appears to have been the 
Squire and another the clergyman of the place and both were 
remarkable characters of loyalty and self-defence. The former 
had been in the Army when young, where he was noted for being 
a strong, courageous, and successful officer; and in the lamented 
contentions between the King and Parliament, he again entered 
the lists, and headed a body of forces in support of his sovereign, 
and for the protection of his friends and property. 

38 



flDar\> ffowler IRusltna 



" He had but one child, a son, whom he privately took, at this 
crisis, to an old woman at Scotter, that he might be out of the 
way of any who sought an interest in his death, by being under 
the care of a tried and faithful individual, who was not likely to 
be suspected of such a charge, who would keep the secret in her 
own bosom, and use every means to bring up the infant without 
discovery. ' Kate, ' said the father, ' I leave my lad to thy manage- 
ment; with this money thou canst plentifully provide for him in 
thine own way, and let him want for nothing. I shall see him no 
more. I am going into battle, and shall die in the struggle, no 
doubt, but my lad must be kept alive; for if this my only hope 
be cut off, there will not be a Fowler left to ' piss against the wall.' 

" He then took his departure, joined the regiment, soon entered 
into the expected contest, and was seen no more. 1 

"The latter (the clergyman) 2 had only one arm, but had a 
compensation for this defect in being stronger than other men 
with two, and is reported to have completely routed a gang of 
robbers at the decoy, when he seized the leader, a notorious boxer 
and outlaw, and single-handed shook his bones nearly out of his 
skin, beat him into perfect tractability with his stump, and then 
drove him home as a trophy of victory! But, however successful 



*I have never been able to find anything to confirm this story. A 
"Captain Fowler" served in the 8th Regiment of Charles 1st (Peacock, 
Army lists, 15), but nothing is known about him, and at least 3 other officers 
in the same Regi. seem to have been South-countrymen (Peacock's Notes). 
A Capt. Fowler was taken prisoner on Naseby Field, June 14, 1645 (Peacock, 
p. 95), and also a Major Fowler (lb., 97), but of these again nothing is known, 
though it is possible, that any one of the above may have left an infant 
son at that time indicated. — J. T. F. 

2 1 have not found evidence in the Registers either at Frodingham or 
Lincoln of a vicar named Fowler at this or any time. In the chancel floor 
at Frodingham is a flat stone to "Thomas Fowler of Colly in ye county of 
Lincoln, Gent, son and heire of Thomas Fowler of Scunthorp . . . who mar- 
ried Millisent the daughter of John Howson, D.D. and grandchilde to John 
Howson, Bishop of Wrisme, leaving his only surviving child Elizabeth as 
heire. He d. Feb. 16, 1684, aged 39." Therefore he was born 1645. But 
his being an heir, buried in the church and leaving an heir, his name more- 
over being Thomas, altogether points to a person other than the legendary 
Joseph. Other Fowlers mentioned in the Frodingham Registers were prob- 
ably connected with the above Thomas, father and son, e. g., William Fowler 
of Brumby, Gent. 1653.— J. T. F. 

39 



Gbe IRuslino family 



in this enterprise, and well qualified for future resistance, the time 
drew near when he must give way. Conflict after conflict required 
all his strength and skill to overcome his adversaries, and, having 
no prospect of help under increasing difficulties, he retired from 
the field for his personal security. He had exhausted every re- 
source, and ventured his person to the uttermost, in these secular 
skirmishes, but was over-matched at last, gave up the booty to 
the conquerors, and took refuge in his own house, which afforded 
shelter and supplies for his present needs. Here he remained 
without molestation, in the midst of lawless thieves, who now 
quietly carried away under various pretences whatever they 
pleased. Waggon after waggon l came, and withdrew the neces- 
saries of life, comfort after comfort took its flight, nearer and nearer 
these rapacious marauders approached the dwelling, and cleared 
the ground of every valuable movable. Starvation or worse now 
threatened, and even life itself became precarious in the extreme. 
Under these privations and distresses an effort wa^ made to escape 
from the growing calamities and dangers by which he was sur- 
rounded. Safety was sought in flight ; he was seen riding on horse- 
back towards the Trent, with a pack behind him supposed to con- 
tain his wife, but was heard of no more. 

"The strong and honorable feeling of loyalty and attachment 
to King Charles, and the consequent efforts to assist him against 
the Parliament forces in these treacherous times, were conscien- 
tiously persevered in until the family distinction and property 
were entirely lost, and the name was nearly extinct. The estates 
were of course seized and secured by other hands, and the new 
proprietors would probably not be very reluctant about destroy- 
ing old titles, nor scrupulous about the validity of their own. 
A few years' residence might possibly gain them a permanent 
settlement in the absence of all contrary claims, and probably 
did do so, as the descendants of the loyalists were never after- 
wards in possession of the property of their forefathers, nor in a 
condition likely to favour their return to it. 



1 Are we to suppose that the robbers and outlaws were supplied with 
waggons, or are Parliamentary foraging expeditions referred to? — J. T. F. 

[Of course, these were foraging parties for the Parliamentary Forces. 
Sherman's "bummers" did the same thing when marching through Georgia 
and the Carolinas, in our Civil War. — J. F. R.] 



40 



Hilary ffowler IRusItns 



" By the troubles of the Rebellion the collateral branches of 
the family were also reduced to indigent circumstances, and dur- 
ing the interregnum they sunk into still greater poverty and 
obscurity, until the whole stock only produced one male repre- 
sentative, who was a common carpenter, and worked on several 
estates in the neighborhood of Scunthorpe, but his (own) resi- 
dence is unknown. This carpenter is supposed to have been 
the boy left at Scotter, under the care of ' Kate, ' whose resources 
having failed at the death or banishment of his father, he then 
depended on his nurse, and through her kindness learned the 
trade of her husband, and finally entered into business for himself. 
"One of his places of labour was High Lawton, then the resi- 
dence of Squire Anderson, from whom the present Lord Yarborough 
is descended, and here he was remarkably countenanced by his 
master, who generously treated him in the day of adversity 

167O 

more like a friend than a servant. This country Squire of the 
olden time would daily find amusement in the company of his car- 
penter, whilst talking over the changes which had taken place, or 
discussing the nature and tendency of passing occurrences. ' Joe, ' 
he would say, ' thy family and mine used to be equals, but you were 
on the weak side and we on the strong. You lost all, and we gained 
all. So you work, and we play!' Meat and drink were always 
offered to the carpenter at the meal times of the domestics, and 
the Squire himself not infrequently invited the same guest to his 
own apartments. Some time before, and often at an evening, he 
has said: 'Joe, come in and sit down with me. There is no differ- 
ence between us but what misfortune made, and what has hap- 
pened to thee might as easily have happened to me. ' 

"The hand and seal of Per. Pelham are affixed to the death 
warrant of King Charles 1st, and these corroborate in some degree 
the general statements above given. 

"It appears, that Joseph the carpenter was resigned to his 
dependent station, and thankful for the attention shown him by 
his more fortunate superior, and though the thought of suffer- 
ing wrongfully would sometimes harass and perplex him within, 
yet no outward acts forfeited the esteem of his employers, or 
lessened his endeavours to gain an honest living. He seems to 
have borne his reverses and trials with a creditable fortitude and 
a patient attention to the duties of his calling, having regularly 

41 



£be IRuslina family 



earned his bread with his own hands, even in old age, and then 
left an only son (of the same name) to inherit the same poverty 
and follow the same example of industry and frugality, in the same 
occupation, and of the same name. This 'Joseph' 1 was the grand- 
father of my grandfather, and nothing further is related of him, 
than his laborious habits in the business of a carpenter, his getting 
a livelihood under various disadvantages, his being a married 
man, often scantily supplied, and his perpetuating the family 
name and trade in the succeeding generation. 

"My great-grandfather, Joseph Fowler, the surviving son 
of the above, dwelt at Winterton, and trod in the steps of his 
father. Inured to hardships and deprivations, and only obtain- 
ing a scanty subsistence, he was nevertheless a strong man, and 
famous in his day for work or sport. Regular employment not 
then expected, and the time unoccupied by trade or the cows was 
often spent in feats of wrestling, boxing and drinking. Home- 
spun suits worn by many, fastened with a girdle of leather or cloth. 
Farmers had their days in the week when their pots boiled, and 
day-laborers and mechanics came then to work and got good meals ; 
on other days, they fasted a good deal. Masters and servants all 
occupied the same room and sat at the same table. . 
Three days employment a week reckoned good. He was a famous 
cudgeler, and at Winterton beat a wandering champion, who was 
thought to be helped by Satan. 

... In due course, the carpenter sobered down. He 
had a good and pious wife. He had a son by a former wife, 2 called 



1 Possibly in this way : 

Joseph the ist (in the legend), b. 1640-45. 

Joseph the 2d, or "the Elder," b. 1680; his 2d wife Mary Taylor, 
May 4, 1721, b. 1680. 

Joseph the 3d, or "the Younger," b. 1734; m. June 9, 1760, to Mary 
Tomlinson. 

William, b. 1760-61; m. Rebecca Hill, May 23, 1790. 

Joseph the 4th, writer of this acct., b. Sept. 14, 1791; m. Elizabeth 
Fowler, May 29, 1828. 

Joseph Thomas, b. June 9, 1833; copied this acct. Jan. 7, 1896. 

If so, then Joseph 2d, the Elder, and Joseph, son of John and Mary Fow- 
ler, bap. Nov. 2, 1681 (Winterton P. R.), were two different persons! — J. T. F. 

2 Joseph Fowler married Patience Smith July 29, 1702 (Winterton P. R.). 
Joseph Fowler married Mary Taylor May 4, 1721 (Ibid.). 

Joseph Fowler married Mary Tomlinson June 9, 1760 (Ibid.). 

42 



flllars fowlei tRueltna 



William ' The Astrologer, ' and by his second he had five daughters 
and one son. This was my grandfather, 'plain Joseph — a plain 
carpenter.' In 1760 he married Mary Tomlinson, and took her to 
the cottage of his aged parent, who was than a widower. The old 
man lived with them in comfort . . . and died. " 

From all of which the weight of evidence apparently is in 
favor of the " Fowler Arms," as claimed by Thomas Valentine 
Fowler (p. 37). 





Ill 



Ibannab IRose IRuslmo 




£^^ rw ^ a ^ 1 ANNAH ROSE RUSLING, the second wife 
>-A Lc\n7\rJ of James Rusling, was born November, 1775, 
and died April 14, 1848, at Hope, N. J. She 
was from Schooley's Mountain or Fox Hill, 
or from Morris or Somerset County, New Jer- 
sey, not far from Hackettstown. She was 
a widow when James Rusling married her, 
and her maiden name was Frazer. This is 
all I have been able to discover about her. She was a tall and 
active woman, of a pious and godly frame of mind, and made 
him an excellent wife, as my father always said — an exceptionally 
good step-mother to his seven children, with four of her own 
to follow afterwards. I remember her visiting at my father's, 
when a lad, and she was always very welcome. When she died 
she was buried first at Washington, Warren County, New Jersey, 
by the side of her husband (James Rusling) ; but subsequently 
(in 1892) her remains and gravestone were removed to Asbury, 
New Jersey, by my brother Henry and myself, and placed in the 
"Rusling Plot" there (see p. 8). According to <her grandson, 
Joseph Rusling Encke (p. 105), she used to relate, that during 
the Revolution one time her mother and she lived four days 
in the cellar of their house, because of a battle raging near, and 
British bullets, cannon-balls, etc., flying about. If so, she prob- 
ably lived near Springfield or Bound Brook, N. J., at that time. 
Her father was absent with the American army. I have no 
doubt she was a very estimable lady. But the above is all I know 
about her. 



44 




IV 



Ibannab IRueltno 




ANNAH RUSLING, the sister of James 
Rusling, and daughter of Robert and 
Christiana Rusling, was born at Hull, Eng- 
land, November 6, 1767. She emigrated 
to America, with her brother James and 
his family, in 1795, and the tradition is 
that on the voyage over she met William 
Down, of Bristol, England, on the same 
ship, and soon after landing married him. They settled at Hack- 
ettstown, Warren County, New Jersey, and he and his wife 
Hannah Rusling were both members of the "Methodist Class" 
of James Rusling there in 1805, as appears by an old "Class 
Paper" of said James Rusling now in my possession. After- 
wards they removed to Easton, Pennsylvania, where Mr. Down en- 
gaged in business as a baker. Here Hannah Rusling died about 1837. 
William Down remarried to Sarah McCombs, widow of Rev. 
Lawrence McCombs, of the Philadelphia Conference, a noted 
minister and Presiding Elder of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
in his day. They were married by my uncle, Rev. Joseph Rusling, 
then of Philadelphia. 

There were no children by this second marriage. I remem- 
ber being taken to their house in Easton by my father once, 
about 1840, when I was a lad of six years. The only thing I 
remember about Mr. Down is, that he was tall and stooping, 
apparently an aged man, with very white hair, and that his 
house was immaculately clean and orderly. Afterwards he re- 
moved to New Brunswick, New Jersey, where he died in 1854, 



45 



Gbe IRusling yamity 



and was buried in the old graveyard of the Liberty Street Metho- 
dist Episcopal church there. 

The old "Class Paper," above referred to, I found in an old 
secretary of my father's, after his decease, and is worthy of further 
notice. It is endorsed "Class Paper for the Class Meeting at John 
Kimble's, Hacketts Town, James Rusling, Leader; William Mills 
and George Wooley, Preachers, Augt 3d. 1805. N. B. Every 
Fryday preceeding Qr. Meetings keep by fasting & Prayer." It 
contains twenty-seven names, as follows: 



Rachel Hazen, 
John Kimble, 
Elizabeth Burnett, 
William Down 
Thomas Upjohn 
Sarah Upjohn 
Abigail Hazlett 
Mercy Hull 
Rhoda Misner 



Ziba Hazen 
Margaret Kimble, 
James Rusling, 
Hannah Down 
Rachel Valentine 
Comfort Hazlett 
Hannah Collins 
Mary Comfert 
Margret Lockman 



Caty Hazen 
Mary Kimble 
Mary Rusling 
Charles Upjohn 
Ruben Searles 
Wm. Hazlett 
Caty Willson 
Catharine Upjohn 
George Dilts 



It runs from August, 1805, to March, 1806. During all this 
period, James Rusling was absent but once; Mary Rusling but 
four times; William Down not once; but Hannah Down ten 
times. The rest of the members averaged about the same, 
though few were so good in attendance as William Down and 
James Rusling. 

The following is the inscription on his tombstone: 

William Down, 

Died 

June 18, 1854. 

Aged 80 yr. 7 mos. & 18 da. 

Blessed are the dead 

that die in the Lord. 

So that he must have been born October 31, 1773. 

The following obituary of him is from the Christian Advocate 
and Journal, New York, September 14, 1854: 

May 28. In New Brunswick, N. J., William Down, aged eighty-two. 
Brother Down was a native of England; was converted at about the age of 
twenty; emigrated to this country when about twenty-four, and settled in 

46 



IHannab IRuelina 



the City of New York. Originally connected with the Baptist denomination, 
he became acquainted with Methodism in 1798, through the instrumentality 
of a friend; and finding her doctrines and usages more congenial with his 
sentiments and feelings, he entered into her communion in which he remained 
until his death, filling for the greater part of the time some responsible offi- 
cial station. He left New York during the prevalence of the yellow fever, 
toward the close of the last century, and subsequently settled in the neigh- 
borhood of Easton, Pa., where he was greatly instrumental, under God, in 
laying the foundation of that now large and flourishing society of Metho- 
dists. He came to this city about ten years since, sustaining then the relation 
of exhorter. Brother Down's death was not unexpected, but it did not 
find him unprepared. During the whole of his somewhat protracted illness, 
he was very specially sustained by the power of divine grace, and he died 
not only in peace, but in great triumph. Many are the expressions of holy 
confidence, to which he gave utterance. In the afternoon of the day in 
which he died he requested the friends present to sing the hymn commenc- 
ing, "And let this feeble body fail," into the spirit of which he seemed to 
enter. To the inquiries of his relatives and brethren his reply was always, 
in substance, that God was with him, and all was well. His last words were, 
"Now let me go to my heavenly home." A widow and a number of children 
and grandchildren are bereaved in the removal of our departed brother; 
but most of them like him are traveling homeward. 

This was by Rev. S. Y. Monroe, his pastor, a prominent minister 
of the New Jersey Conference then and afterward. 

The Family Record of Hannah Rusling is as follows: 

Hannah Rusling, b. Nov. 6, 1767; d. 1837; m. William Down. 
William Down, b. Nov. 12, 1773; d. June 18, 1854. 

Their Children as Follows. 

Phozbe, b. Aug. 11, 1798; d. ; m. Jacob Goolder, New 

Brunswick, N. J. 

Sidney, b. Feb. 9, 1799; d. ; m. Jane Pool, Oct. 19, 1822. 

Sylvan, b. Feb. 9, 1801; d. . 

Maria, b. Dec. 16, 1802; d. April 5, 1888; m. Hiram Reese, 

Phillipsburg, New Jersey. 

Sophia, b. Nov. 1, 1804; d. ; never married. 

Charles, b. June 19, 1808; d. . 

Family record of Maria Down Reese, as follows : 

Hiram Reese, b. 1801; d. March 16, 1877; m. Maria Down. 
Maria Down Reese, b. Dec. 16, 1802; d. April 5, 1888. 
Hannah D., b. May 6, 1827; d. April 1, 1889. 
Jacob H., b. Aug. 4, 1828; d. March 23, 1901. 

47 



£be IRusling ifamity 



William D., b. Jan. 21, 1830; d. Dec. 10, 1880. 

Sophia, b. Jan. 30, 1832; m. William Beers, Oct. 23, 1850. 

Mary Ann, b. Sept. 11, 1835; m. John Snyder, June 4, 1857; d. 

Aug. 12, 1862. 
Phebe, b. Oct. 14, 1838; d. ; m. George Savercool, Sept. 21, 

1865. 



Hiram, b. Nov. 30, 1840; d. Oct. 15, 1853. 
Sarah, b. Nov. 1, 1843; d. April 17, 1872. 





V 



Joseph IRusltng 




OSEPH RUSLING, eldest son of James and 
Mary Fowler Rusling, was born May 12, 
1788, at Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, England, 
and came to America with his parents in 
1795. He became a Methodist minister of 
prominence in his day, and was stationed 
in Newark, New Brunswick, Trenton, Phila- 
delphia, Wilmington, etc. I have an en- 
graving of him and also a profile. He had considerable literary 
ability, and wrote a volume of Miscellaneous Poems, and also 
another of Sunday-school Hymns (published 1838, Philadelphia, 
Penna.), that were in use in the Sunday-schools of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church for a generation or more. We used them at 
Greene Street (now First) Methodist Episcopal Church, Trenton, 
New Jersey, in 1845-6, when I was a Sunday-school boy there, 
and they were then widely in use by the Methodist Episcopal 
Church at large. Several of his hymns were published in the 
Methodist Hymnal for two or three editions, but they do not ap- 
pear in the edition we use in 1907; they were in the edition of 
1848, and comprise hymns 17, 18, 19, 28, 36, and 46 there. His 
health failed him and he settled in Philadelphia, and started the 
Methodist Book Room, now 1018 Arch Street, on the sum of $20, 
and this has developed from that small beginning to its present 
importance. An office boy or clerk of his at that time was Abel 
Stevens. He found him a bright and intelligent lad and educated 
him, and afterwards he became a D.D. and LL.D., — editor of the 
Christian Advocate, and one of the great historians of the Church. 



[4] 



49 



Gbe TRueltng family 



He is now deceased. When uncle Joseph died (July 4, 1839) he 
left Dr. Stevens his literary executor, and his widow sent him a 
box of manuscripts, sermons, etc., to New York by a sailing vessel, 
which he was to revise and publish for the benefit of the family, 
but this box never turned up, and the whole mass of his writings 
was lost, greatly to the regret of his widow and children. He is 
buried in front of the Fifth Street Methodist Episcopal Church, 
Philadelphia, which he established and where he was greatly 
beloved. His gravestone was in front of the church, for many 
years, but is now in its vestibule. His record as a minister appears 
in the minutes of the Philadelphia Conference, and also in a book 
published in Philadelphia a few years ago by Mr. Joseph R. Flani- 
gen, then of the Philadelphia Record. His funeral sermon was 
printed and I have a copy, corroborating much of what Mr. Flani- 
gen says in his tribute subjoined. 

In the Christian Advocate, New York, August 4, 1898, is an 
article on Rev. Abel Stevens, by Rev. J. N. Shaffer, of Newburgh, 
New York, from which the following is an extract: 

His eminent endowments, his distinguishing gift of eloquence, and the 
beauty of his character in his early church life had attracted the attention of 
all who knew him. Among them was a noble man, Joseph Rusling, who 
kept a bookstore at a place then called Pemberton, a suburb of Philadelphia. 
He took the boy into his employ. While there he commenced and pursued, 
as his duties permitted, the reading of such books as suited his taste, and 
formed that habit of study which developed so marvelously as the years 
rolled by. It was mainly through Mr. Rusling that friends came to his aid 
and opened the way for him to go to Wilbraham and also to enter the uni- 
versity at Middletown. 

The following is from the Philadelphia Record of June 14, 
1879, by said Joseph R. (Rusling?) Flanigen, and seems a just 
tribute to its subject: 

In front of Fifth Street Methodist Episcopal church lie buried the mor- 
tal remains of 

Rev. Joseph Rusling, 

whom we remember as one of the most pleasing and effective preachers of 
the olden time. Mr. Rusling was born in Lincolnshire, England, in the year 
1788. His parents emigrated to the United States in 1795, landing in New 
York, and proceeded shortly thereafter to the vicinity of Hackettstown, in 
Warren county, New Jersey, where they settled. They were people in mod- 
erate circumstances, and the elder Rusling commenced at once the business 
of farming, in which he was assisted by the son as he grew up to manhood. 

5° 




REV. JOSEPH RUSLING 

1788-1839 

From an engraving, about 183S 



3osepb IRuslina 



When about twenty years of age the subject of this sketch was, at a camp 
meeting held in the neighborhood, converted to God and in four years there- 
after he began preaching. In the year 1814 he was received in the Phila- 
delphia Conference on trial, and in 181 6 admitted into full connection. As 
we remember Mr. Rusling, he was a gentleman of rather delicate physical 
organization. He was of medium stature, with a head indicating marked 
intellectual capacity. He had a clear, dark and penetrating eye, and was 
altogether a person of decidedly prepossessing appearance. Raised on the 
farm and to labor in the fields, he had but little opportunity for education. 
He was, however, a boy of studious and thoughtful nature; and as a man, 
earnest and energetic in the pursuit of knowledge. He became, after en- 
tering upon his ministerial labors, a pupil of Rev. William Mann, under 
whose tuition he studied and acquired what was wont to be termed "the 
dead languages." 

Intellectually Mr. Rusling was above the average of the Methodist 
preachers of his time. As an author he was prolific. He wrote much and 
well, and it is to be regretted that, in consequence of what must be stated as 
the infidelity of one on whom he relied for the compilation and preparation 
of a very considerable amount of manuscript, the world has but slight oppor- 
tunity to judge of his productions. He was a constant contributor to such 
Methodist literary publications as passed through the press during his active 
life, such as "The Methodist Magazine," "Youth's Instructor," etc. Many 
of his sermons were published in pamphlet form, but they were never con- 
centrated. Among the works published by him were "Devotional Exer- 
cises," a volume of poetry containing some 250 pages, and published in 
1836. "Original Hymns for Sunday Schools" was issued in 1837, and 
"The Christian's Companion," published a year later, was a transposition 
into verse of a portion of the Psalms of David and other selections from 
the Holy Scriptures. He also attempted and published for some time a 
small Sunday-school journal, but lacking the necessary support it was 
discontinued. 

During twenty-two years of active pulpit work Mr. Rusling was con- 
stantly engaged in literary pursuits. 

As a Poet 

he was simple, plain, always devotional. His muse was a religious one; his 
poetry was all prayer and praise, chaste and pure as the leaflets that cluster 
around the eternal throne of God. In the log cabin on a Jersey circuit; in 
the stately city church; in the smiling valley, or amid the busy haunts of 
trade and commerce, his harp was ever attuned to praise of the Redeemer. 
He sung, as was said of another better known to fame, "not to the God of 
Nature alone, but as the Almighty Father and Friend revealed in the life- 
giving Gospel of Jesus Christ." Modest, unpretentious, earnest and labo- 
rious, Rusling lived in an atmosphere peculiar to himself. His was a life of 
earnest devotion, of deep thought and trustful confidence, but he did not 
shun the world, neither did he affect to despise either its duties or allure- 
ments; on the contrary, he was a genial gentleman, a most pleasant com- 

5i 



Gbe IRuelins family 



panion, a devoted friend, and one of the most practical men, perhaps, among 
the Methodist ministers of his time. Thus he sting to "Abraham's God;" 

"Hail! Abraham's God alone, 

Whose faithful word is sure; 
And firm as is His throne, 

It ever shall endure; 
And on His truth we will rely 
Who form'd those rolling spheres on high." 

Of his Sunday-school hymns, Dr. Durbin said they were really such, 
and the late Willis Gaylord Clark commended them highly for their "clear- 
ness and purity of thought," qualities that rendered them peculiarly calcu- 
lated to guide and interest the young mind. 

His first circuit was what was known in those days as "Hamburg," in 
New Jersey, and it took in nearly if not quite all that portion of the State 
north of Trenton, over to the Beech Woods on one side and the bay of New 
York on the other. Much of this circuit was an unbroken forest, with an occa- 
sional swamp, and the young preacher was obliged to carry a hatchet in his 
saddle bags, with which he "blazed" the trees or cut off a limb, so that he 
could follow the trail back again. Mr. Rusling had for a colleague on this 
circuit Rev. George Banghart, and it was arranged between them that one 
should follow the other, and thus give the people the benefit of more fre- 
quent preaching, six weeks being required to go over the ground. Rusling 
went ahead and "blazed" the trees so that Banghart could follow, and on 
one occasion some mischievous men or boys of the country, thinking to lead 
the preachers on a sort of "wild-goose chase," went on Rusling's trail, and, 
starting at a certain point, blazed the trees in a direction different from that 
he had taken, and when Banghart came along he followed the new-made 
route, and at nightfall found himself on the edge of an extensive swamp, 
where he had the green turf for a pillow on which to rest his- weary head, 
and the stars for candles to light him to his couch; but there was no sleep 
for the decoyed preacher, there being wolves and other wild animals in the 
Jersey forests and swamps at that period. Banghart retraced his steps the 
next day, and striking Rusling's path again brought up at the proper place. 
He christened the road to the swamp, "the infernal saints' path." This 
was ini8i4. Ini8i5 Mr. Rusling was assigned to 
Burlington Circuit, 
where there was better civilization, and finding considerable population and 
a good church in the old town, the young preacher made up his mind that 
he could make an impression, and he prepared himself accordingly, and, as 
he related afterward, he thought he had been entirely successful. After 
the meeting had been closed and the preacher had stepped down from the 
pulpit, the brethren and sisters gathered around him to make his acquain- 
tance and, at the same time, bid him welcome. And, after the usual saluta- 
tions and greetings were gone through with, an old lady, who had been 
viewing the scene, sidled up, and, taking Rusling by the arm, said: "What 
did you follow before you began to preach?" "I worked on the farm, with 



52 



3o6cpb IRusItna 



my father," he replied. "Well," said the sister, "if you can't preach any 
better than that, you'd better go back to the plow." Many young men 
would have wilted under such a wet blanket, but not so with Rusling; he 
replied to the sister in his usual pleasant manner, and she afterward became 
one of his fast friends. The truth was that the young preacher had gone 
beyond the old lady's depth, and developed a capacity which, as we shall 
see, caused him to be much sought after in Philadelphia. 

The next year he was transferred to Trenton Circuit — a still more com- 
fortable place — and in 1817-18 he was stationed at St. George's charge, 
when he alternated with the other preachers at Ebenezer, Salem, and Naza- 
reth, and it was during this latter year that he rendered himself most active 
and useful in the enterprise of constructing the "New Ebenezer" church on 
Christian Street. He was extremely popular with the Ebenezer people, 
several of whom named their sons after him. Then the following year he 
was at Wilmington, and during 1821-22 he was stationed at St. John's in 
this city, after which he was at New Brunswick, New Mills, now Pemberton, 
N. J., and at Newark; and in 1828 he was again stationed at St. John's, 
where he was continued during four years; and in 1832, the new Fifth Street 
church having been purchased for him, he was by the Bishops assigned to 
that pastorate, making a continuous service of six years in the city. This 
was a most unusual circumstance, and entirely inconsistent with the rule 
which confined the city term to two years. There was, however, a reason 
for this departure from rule, beyond the popularity of the preacher, which 

grew out of 

A Most Extraordinary Occurrence. 

Among the members at St. John's was a very respectable man named 
Anthony Shermer, who, during Mr. Rusling's pastorate, from some cause or 
other unknown to us, had got wrong in his head, and on a certain occasion, 
while Mr. R. was preaching, Shermer, in a loud tone of voice, exclaimed, 
"That's a lie!" The congregation was not only startled, but indignant, and 
proposed removing the offending member at once; but Mr. Rusling, in his 
quiet way, said, "Never mind, brethren, it affects no one but myself, and is 
of no consequence," and the affair was passed over, but not without a sen- 
sation that was continued in the congregation and neighborhood during the 
week. On the next Sabbath the offence was repeated in the same way, and 
having been again condoned, matters rested until the next Sunday, when, 
as though made bold through the kind consideration and sympathy of 
friends, the offence was repeated a third time. This was too much, and the 
unfortunate Shermer was straightway taken out of the church and forthwith 
expelled from the society. The offender was perhaps just enough unhinged 
in mind to have become devilish, and, influenced doubtless by bad advisers, 
of whom there are always plenty on hand, he at once begun a suit against 
Mr. Rusling and the trustees for damages. He employed as his counsel 
David Paul Brown, Esq., and one of the Rawles, and the church retained 
for their defence Hon. Josiah Randall and Peter A. Brown, Esq., who, in 
addition to being a most excellent lawyer, was something of a scientist. A 
good many delays took place before the cause was brought to trial, but when 



53 



Gbe IRusltng jfamtty 



it was reached the verdict was for the defendant; but the other side was 
bent on mischief, apparently, and appealed. When Mr. Rusling's two years 
in the pastorate were about to expire, the cause was still pending, and the 
Bishops, thinking it would not be good policy to assign him elsewhere under 
the circumstances, reappointed him for two years more. These two years 
were also rolled away among the eternities, and still, by reason of the de- 
lays and continued motions and appeals of Mr. Shermer, the cause was 
undisposed of, and there seemed to the Bishops a gravity about the position 
of the persecuted preacher that they must recognize and provide for. 

At and previous to this time, say 1830, there was on the north side of 
Coates Street, above Second, a Presbyterian church of which "Jimmy Patter- 
son" was the pastor. He held the most pronounced, and, indeed, extreme 
views on the subject of election, and preached that there were children in 
hell only a week old. Notwithstanding the promulgation of such an egregious 
doctrine, the society seemed to have succeeded, and at about this time they 
had purchased a lot on the west side of Fifth Street, on which was constructed 

what is now 

Fifth Street M. E. Church. 

But the Presbyterians run out of money before the building was com- 
pleted and were obliged to sell it. The friends of Mr. Rusling, inspired by 
the Bishop, at once began negotiations for the purchase of the property, 
and in a very short time they were able to do so, and, proceeding at once to 
finish the structure, a new temple was directly dedicated to God and Meth- 
odism, with "Josie Rusling," as the people were wont to name him, as its 
pastor. The new edifice had been designed, of course, by the Presbyterians 
for a pew church, and the seating was on the floor, when purchased, so ar- 
ranged, but without the doors, and so it was permitted to remain; it was 
tastefully finished, for Rusling was a man of order and taste, and the choir 
was for the first time placed in the end gallery, the latest improvement in 
this regard previously having been to station the singers in the centre of the 
congregation on the ground floor. It is narrated of Rev. John Kennedy, 
who was stationed at this time in Wilmington, we believe, that at a Con- 
ference meeting he criticised Mr. Rusling's new church with some severity, 
saying that it was a pewed church, only that the doors were not hung, and 
he supposed the next thing would be to have a fiddle in the choir. It is 
something remarkable that the first preacher in charge of the first Methodist 
pew-church in Pennsylvania (Trinity) was the same Mr. Kennedy, who was 
delighted with the arrangement; thus time wears away the ragged edges 
from our prejudices, as "circumstances alter cases." This scrap of history 
accounts for Mr. Rusling's continuous service of six years in the city; but we 
should not leave the subject without mentioning that the church of our 
Presbyterian friend Patterson, on Coates Street, was in after years degraded 
to theatrical uses, and that the building is now devoted to 'the altogether 
respectable business of selling goods at auction. By the time Mr. Rusling's 
term of two years at Fifth Street had expired the lawsuit had ended, all the 
decisions being in favor of the preacher and his trustees, after which he was 
again sent to Wilmington, where he was also very popular. 



54 



3osepb IRuslina 



Rusling was a very fine singer, and gave much attention to the music 
of all his congregations, deeming it a highly important element of worship. 
He believed in making worship attractive to the masses of the people, and 
was an advocate of improved church architecture and general arrangement. 
It was through him that the wretched rule that sent a man into the church 
by one door and his wife by another was first broken into at Fifth Street, 
albeit the aisle was still permitted to separate them when seated. 

Mr. Rusling, although always a poor man, was liberal-hearted and 
charitable. He may be said to have been 

The Foster Father of Abel Stevens, 

the celebrated "boy preacher" of the olden time. While stationed at St. 
John's some of the ladies of the congregation, in their visits of mercy, came 
across Mrs. Stevens, who was struggling with the world to gain a subsist- 
ence and rear her several small children. Among these was Abel, who was 
working in the old Globe Mill as a "piecer" on a spinning mule, for which 
he received probably a dollar or a dollar and a half a week. He was a bright 
and intelligent boy, and Rusling's attention having been called to him he at 
once took an interest in his welfare. Mr. R. was in the habit of keeping on 
hand, besides his own publications, some such books as might be wanted by 
members of his congregation, or for Sunday-school purposes, selling them 
and appropriating such profit as might be realized to objects of charity. 
He had at the period now under review a small book-store on Fourth Street, 
below Race, which, by the way, formed the nucleus of the very respectable 
establishment now known as the "Methodist Book Concern," on Arch Street, 
west of Tenth, and discovering, as he thought, in the boy Stevens the germs 
of intellect and ability, he took charge of and made him a store boy. This 
little book-store, however, was, not very long after, moved down in front of 
"the Academy," and arrangements were made for the education of Abel 
for the ministry. Mr. Jacob Carrigan, Mr. John Wilmer, and Mr. Richard 
Benson, with, perhaps, one or two other Academy members, made them- 
selves responsible for a portion of the boy's expenses, while Rusling, we are 
informed, took charge of his education, and when Dickinson College came 
into possession of the Methodists, sent him there for a year before he en- 
tered regularly into the ministry by joining the New England Conference. 

As a Preacher 

Rusling was what we would term didactic, or doctrinal. His power of rea- 
soning was great, and he was engaging and persuasive, leading his hearers 
by such pleasing methods and arrangement of his discourse as rendered him 
not only attractive but popular wherever he was stationed. As we remem- 
ber him there was no affectation of oratory about him. He dealt but spar- 
ingly with tropes, metaphors, and such rhetorical figures as are by many men 
called to their aid. His great reliance was on the promises of the Gospels, 
which he always presented with marked effect, and his voice and gesture 
were unexceptionable. But few men in the Conference surpassed him as a 
camp-meeting preacher, and his harvest of souls was an abundant one. 

55 



£be IRusling family 



He had a younger brother, Sedgwick, who was also a preacher, connected 
with the New Jersey Conference after its establishment. Sedgwick at one 
time in the course of his ministry became despondent and discouraged, and, 
looking up his elder brother, he said, "Josie, I think I'll give up preaching 
and go at something else." "Give up!" said Joseph; "why? what for? 
What's the matter, Sedgy?" "Well," said the younger brother, "I don't 
see that I am doing any good; I don't know of a soul that has been con- 
verted under my preaching." "You don't?" said Joseph; "well, I do, 
brother Sedge — for, only two weeks ago, I met a lady who told me she had 
been awakened and converted under your preaching." "That's enough, 
then," said Sedgwick; "I've been preaching about seven years and I'll 
preach seven more to gain another soul to Christ!" And so he went forth 
again, and in after years could count the sheaves in his harvest not by 
scores but by many hundreds. 

Mr. Rusling is claimed by the Methodists of New Castle, Del., as the 
father of their church. His last effective relation was on the Wilmington 
district, which embraced that town; and, having contracted disease while 
there, he was in 1836 placed on the superannuated list in connection with 
his much-loved Fifth Street church, and in 1839 his spirit winged its way 
to the presence of the Master whose cause he had so well served. His end 
was peace; his exit calm. And, repeating one of his own stanzas, we may 
say of him, as he wrote of McComb: 

"How is the Lord's anointed slain! 
Numbered with the illustrious dead; 
He did unto the Mount repair, 
And Heaven came down and met him there." 

The following is a good sample of his poetry, and refers to the 
old homestead at Newburgh mentioned on page 6: 

The Family Circle. 
How pleasing the scenes of our youth, 

How gay did the season pass by; 
What charms have conspired to smooth 

The current of innocent joy. 
The woodland's luxuriant display, 

So gracefully mantled in green; 
The fields clad in lovely array, 

Where the beauties of Nature were seen 

How rich were the songs of the grove, 

What multitudes join'd in the lay; 
Those sweet recollections I love, 

And scenes that have passed away. 
What melody flow'd from their song, 

The strain, the warble how fine; 
The hills bore the echo along, 

Responding to every line. 

56 



3osepb IRuslina 



The paternal domestic abode, 

I love to remember it still, 
The barn by the side of the road, 

And the brook with its murmuring~rill. 
The ancient abode of my sire, 

What pleasing enchantment was there; 
As we clos'd round the family fire, 

Our mutual pleasures to share. 

Our hymns, how we chanted together, 

What melodious sounds we did raise; 
When led by our sire and mother, 

In the family concert of praise. 
And then as we bowed around 

The family altar and prayed; 
Where parents and children have found 

Abundance of goodness display'd. 

How full of devotion the pray'r; 

Now fervently sent to the throne ; 
How gratefully flowed the tear; 

How ample the benefit shown. 
But scenes of my youth have all fled. 

Those juvenile pleasures are o'er; 
My parents are both of them dead, 

And the family circle's no more. 

But though the original's gone, 

To exist as a circle no more; 
Each one forms a circle alone, 

A branch from the circle before. 
The altar and song to maintain, 

May all be inspired by love; 
And each an inheritance gain 

In the family circle above. 

And here is another, that suggests Wordsworth, and not un- 
worthy of him: 

Years when I was Young. 

I hear the robin's morning lay, 

And something in his song 
Brings to my mind a train of thoughts 

Of years when I was young. 

Sweet little redbreast, how I love 

Those warbles of thy tongue, 
And all the retrospect they bring 

Of years when I was young. 

57 



Gbe IRusltnG family 



The mountain bluff, the valleys low, 

The murmuring stream along; 
The frequent range and ramble round, 

In years when I was young. 

The distant horn, the sounding flail, 

The flocks and herds in throng; 
And all the beauteous rural scenes, 

Of years when I was young. 

The circling round of youthful friends 

As vines with cluster hung; 
The fire that in our bosom glow'd, 

In years when I was young. 

But scenes and friends of earliest days, 

With time have past along; 
And memory only retrospects 

The years when I was young. 

Years in their flight produce a change, 

I feel it in my song; 
Yet robin warbles just the same 

As when I once was young. 

The Family Record of Joseph Rusling is as follows: 

Joseph Rusling, b. May 12, 1788; d. July 4, 1839; m. Jan. 3, 

1822, to Sarah Hunter, of Wilmington, Del. 
Sarah Hunter Rusling, b. Aug. 14, 1802; d. July 28, 1875. 

Their Children. 

James Worrell, b. Nov. n, 1822; d. April 28, 1880. 

Joseph M., b. Oct. 30, 1824; d. Sept. 24, 1904. 

Sarah Ann, b. Jan. 24, 1827; d. April 27, 1864; m. Jacob Fell, 

1844 or 1845. He was b. Dec. 25, 1823; d. Feb. 21, 1903. 
William, b. Nov. 18, 1829; still living, Philadelphia, Penna. 
Mary EMELiNE.b. Oct. 10, 1837; d. Feb. 16, 1902 (m. George N. 

Smith, dec'd). 

All of said births and deaths at Philadelphia, Penna., except 
Joseph M., b. New Brunswick, New Jersey, d. Hackettstown, New 
Jersey. His children all inherited the gift of song — his daughter 
Sarah A. especially. 

His son James's record, as follows: 

James Worrell Rusling, b. Nov. n, 1822; d. April 28, 1880; 
m. Nov. 25, 1855, to Elizabeth Mower. 

58 



3o0epb IRuslfng 



Elizabeth Mower Rusling, b. Sept. 25, 1827; d. April 12, 1906, 

Philadelphia, Penna. 
George Washington, b. Dec. 22, 1856. 
Sallie Florence, b. Feb. 14, 1859. 
Clifford Fell, b. April 26, 1881. 
Elizabeth Ada, b. Sept. 22, 1863; d. Dec. 31, 1863. 

His son William's record, as follows: 

William Rusling, b. Nov. 18, 1829; m. Jan. 26, 1854, to Emily 

Ireland. 
Emily Ireland, b. March 13, 1834, bap. by Rev. D. W. Bartine. 
Laura Bateman Rusling, b. Jan. 24, 1856; d. Feb. 17, 1856. 
Sallie Laura Rusling, 1 b. April 6, 1858; m. June 5, 1877, to 

Charles C. Matthews. 
Emily Rusling, 1 b. Dec. 16, 1862; d. Jan. 8, 1867. 
Mary Emily, b. Dec. 14, 1865. 

Josephine, b. Nov. 3, 1868; m. Oct. 18, 1892, to Rev. L. S. Fulmer. 
William Hunter, b. Oct. 28, 1871; d. May 11, 1875. 



1 Bap. by Rev. Sedgwick Rusling. 





VI 



James IRusltng (2) 




AMES RUSLING, the second son of James 
and Mary Fowler Rusling, was born August 
8, 1789, at Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, Eng- 
land. He was brought up on a farm in 
Warren County, New Jersey, and ultimately 
put into my grandfather's store and became 
a merchant at Andersontown, New Jersey. 
He was a member of the firm of James 
Rusling & Sons, as I have heretofore said (p. 8). After my grand- 
father's decease, James and my father dissolved partnership, and 
James went to live at Easton, Penna. I do not think he had any 
business, but lived quietly on what means he had, probably a few 
thousand dollars. He married a Miss Rebecca Ray Loder. I 
know little of her, except that she was the daughter of William 
Loder, a school-teacher and local preacher at Washington, New 
Jersey, about 1830. 

His second son, Thomas Valentine Fowler, or Fowler Rusling, 
as he was usually called, went to Salem, New Jersey, to teach 
school, and while there married and settled in that town. He was 
afterwards Deputy County Clerk, Justice of the Peace, Superin- 
tendent Methodist Episcopal Sunday-school, and an active and 
intelligent man. He was a man of a good deal of character and 
talent, and marked musical ability, but was accidentally killed 
on the Pennsylvania Railroad at Rahway, New Jersey, while walk- 
ing along the track, in 1872. 

His brother William James was private, sergeant, second lieu- 
tenant, and first lieutenant Company F, Fifth New Jersey, during 

60 



3amc6 IRusltng (2) 



our great Civil War. He was a man of character and ability. 
After the war, he became Deputy Assessor United States Internal 
Revenue at Hackettstown, New Jersey, under his uncle Robert, 
and Deputy United States Internal Revenue Collector at Jersey 
City, New Jersey, under various Collectors, who all held him in 
high esteem for his intelligence and integrity, until his health 
failed. He then resigned, about 1894, and died 1896. We were 
comrades in the Army of the Potomac during the Civil War for 
nearly three years, and he was a gallant and accomplished officer, 
and a very nice fellow. Although of Methodist parentage and 
ancestry, he became a Presbyterian, and died an elder in that 
church at Newark, New Jersey, as aforesaid. 

His sister, Sarah Mary Arabella Rusling, married Mr. Benjamin 
Lippincott, of Salem, New Jersey, November 27, 1870, and is still 
living there. Cousin Will was always very fond of her and she is 
well esteemed by all who know her. Mr. Lippincott died November 
25, 1897, without issue by this marriage. 

The Family Record of James Rusling is as follows: 

James Rusling, b. Aug. 8, 1789; d. Dec. 7, 1848; m. Rebecca 

Ray Loder, May 6, 1819. 
Rebecca Ray Loder, b. March 9, 1799; d. July 7, 1840. 

Their Children. 
Joseph Loder Rusling, b. Feb. 15, 1820; d. Nov. 15, 1847; un_ 

married. 
Thomas V. Fowler Rusling, b. Oct. 182 1; d. June 12, 1872. 
Sedgwick Rusling, b. Dec. 11, 1824; d. Dec. 13, 1824. 
William James Rusling, b. Jan. 4, 1832; d. Dec. 6, 1896. 
Sarah Mary Arabella Rusling, b. Jan. 10, 1837. 

The Family Record of said Thomas V. F. Rusling is as follows: 

Thomas Valentine Fowler Rusling, b. Oct. 1, 182 1; d. June 12, 
1872; m. Dec. 15, 1843, to Elizabeth Warr Hancock, Sa- 
lem, New Jersey, by Rev. Sedgwick Rusling. 

Elizabeth W. Hancock Rusling, b. March 6, 1822; d. March 7, 
1889. 

Their Children, as Follows. 

Sarah Rebecca Rusling, b. Dec. 29, 1844; d. Oct. 11, 1876. 

Joseph Hancock Rusling, b. Sept. 15, 1846; d. same date. 

James Fowler Rusling, b. July 15, 1848; d. Aug. 15, 1850. 

Lillie Hancock Rusling, b. April 12, 1858; m. Milton S. Wood, 
April 20, 1874, by Rev. Wm. H. Pearne. 

61 



Gbe IRusItns family 



Caroline Keasbey Rusling, b. Feb. 3, 1861; m. Horace S. 

Foster, Dec. 25, 1887. 
Milton Rusling Wood, son of said Milton S. and Lillie H. 

Wood, b. April 19, 1875. 

The Family Record of said William J. Rusling is as follows: 

William James Rusling, b. Jan. 4, 1832; d. Dec. 6, 1896; m. 
Emma Rea Smith, April 25, 1872, daughter of Jesse Smith, 
Morristown, New Jersey, and grand-daughter of Judge Caleb 
H. Valentine, Hackettstown, New Jersey. 

Emma Rea Smith Rusling, b. Oct. 25, 1844. 

Their Children. 
William James Rusling, Jr., b. Aug. 10, 1874. 
Margaret Louise Rusling, b. June 15, 1875. 
Frederick Emil Rusling, b. Oct. 17, 1879; m. Charlotte Clark 
Taylor, April 10, 1907, Newark, New Jersey. 

William J. (2) studied civil engineering, and graduated with 
honor at Stevens' Institute, Hoboken, New Jersey, and after- 
wards took a four years' course at Altoona, Penna., under the 
Pennsylvania Railroad, and then entered its service, and was 
stationed at the shops in Philadelphia and Pittsburg, and is now 
their Assistant Master Mechanic, Philadelphia Division, with head- 
quarters at Harrisburg, Penna. Margaret Louise became a popular 
and successful school-teacher, Newark, New Jersey. Frederick E. 
became a clerk in the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company, 
Newark, New Jersey, and has been promoted several times, and 
stands high in the esteem and regard of its officers. All three bid 
fair to become an honor and a credit to their parents and ancestry. 



VII 



Militant IRusltna 




ILLIAM RUSLING, third son of James 
and Mary Fowler Rusling, was born July 
13, 1 791, at Hull, Yorkshire, England. 
His parents brought him with them to 
America in 1795, but he grew up with a 
dislike of American institutions, and soon 
after becoming of age married and re- 
moved to Simcoe, Canada, and bought 
a farm there, and his descendants are still living at or near there. 
One of them, James Walter Rusling, visited me here a few years ago 
and spent several days with me. He was a school-teacher there 
and a bright young fellow. Subsequently brother Henry went to 
Canada, and spent a week or two among our cousins there, and 
found them all well-to-do — farmers, merchants, mechanics, etc., 
at Simcoe, Vittoria, etc. He has also visited them since. 

William Rusling was a man of a good deal of ability. He 
was a popular speaker and temperance lecturer all through Canada, 
along in the forty's and fifty's. I never saw him but once. That 
was about 1848. He then came to New Jersey and spent several 
weeks here, visiting my father and other relatives, and looking 
after his share of the estate of his stepmother, Hannah Rose 
Rusling, who died that year. 

The Family Record of William Rusling is as follows: 

William Rusling, b. July 13, 1791; d. Feb. 23, 1872; m. Charity 

Culver, March 10, 1816. 
Charity Culver Rusling, daughter of William and Catherine, b. 

Nov. 4, 1801; d. April 19, 1881. 

63 



Gbe IRusling family 



Their Children. 
Mary Rusling, b. Sept. 22, 1818; d. April 15, 1883. 
William James Rusling, b. Sept. 24, 1820. 
Thomas Fowler Rusling, b. Feb. 13, 1823; d. March 26, 1906. 
Adam Rusling, b. June 7, 1825; d. Aug. 31, 1848. 
Catharine Rusling, b. Oct. 10, 1827; d. June 16, 1841. 
David Rusling, b. July 7, 1829. 
Joseph Rusling, b. March 22, 1831. 
Elizabeth Rusling, b. June 11, 1832. 



Mima Rusling, b. Feb. 15, 1834" . 

J °^ twins. 



"■ itwii 



Anna Rusling, b. Feb. 16, 1834J 
Hann/.h Rusling, b. June 10, 1836. 
Charlotte Rusling, b. Sept. 10, 1838. 
John Rusling, b. April 1, 1843. 

Thomas Fowler Rusling, son of William, lived near Vittoria, 
Ontario, Canada. He was a farmer and well-to-do. 

His Family Record is as follows: 

Thomas Fowler Rusling, b. Feb. 13, 1823; d. March 26, 1906; 

m. Eliza Ann Deming, June 18, 1850. 
Eliza A. Deming Rusling, b. Nov. 18, 1831. 

Their Children. 
Albert Overton Rusling, b. Aug. 24, 1851; d. Sept. 15, 1852. 
Theresa Forella Rusling, b. June 27, 1853. 
James Walter Rusling, b. Dec. 8, 1854. 
Cornelia Maria Rusling, b. Nov. 5, 1858. 
Erie Jane Rusling, b. Aug. 24, 1863. 
Kate Annie Rusling, b. June 30, 1866. 
York Culver Rusling, b. Jan. 12, 1868. 
Thomas Tolland Rusling, b. June 12, 1869; d. April 15, 1882. 

David Rusling, son of William, lives near Boston, Ontario, 
Canada; is blacksmith and farmer, and well-to-do. 

His Family Record, as follows: 

David Rusling, b. July 7, 1829; m. Sarah Ann Pursley, Nov. 27, 

1851. 
Sarah Ann Pursley Rusling, b. April 22, 1833. 

Their Children. 
Malvina Rusling, b. Sept. 16, 1852. 
John William Rusling, b. June 20, 1854. 
Mary Jane Rusling, b. July 25, 1856; d. May 16, 1872. 
Lewis L. Rusling, b. Dec. 8, 1858; d. Feb. 15, 1874. 
Abraham Lincoln Rusling, b. Dec. 29, 1862. 
David Wallace Rusling, b. Sept. 4, 1864. 
Sylvester Rusling, b. March 28, 1868. 



William IRuslina 



Joseph Rusling, son of William, lives near Calton, Elgin 
County, Ontario, Canada; is harness-maker and farmer, and well- 
to-do. 

His Family Record is as follows: 

Joseph Rusling, b. March 22, 1831; m. Sarah Jane Fitch, 

Aug. 30, 1855. 
Sarah Jane Fitch Rusling, b. . 

Their Children. 
William Henry Rusling, b. Aug. 6, 1856; d. July 17, 1907. 
Josephine Amanda Rusling, b. Aug. 26, 1857. 
Hermon Culver Rusling, b. April 6, 1864. 
Lillian May Rusling, b. Feb. 6, 1873. 

Anna Rusling, daughter of William, married Lemuel Mc- 
Dermand, of Pt. Burwell, Elgin County, Ontario, Canada, October 
1, 1857. He died November 23, 1874; was a ship-carpenter. 
She remarried to John Burb ridge, of Corinth, same county, 
November 1, 1880; he is a farmer. 

Their Children. 
Mary Ann McDermand, b. July 6, 1858. 
Iona McDermand, b. April 8, 1861. 
Delia McDermand, b. Sept. 6, 1863. 

Charlotte, daughter of William, lives near Simcoe, Wood- 
house Township, Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada; m. John L. 
Chadwick, September 9, 1855; he b. September 23, 1833. 

Their Children. 
John L., b. March 3, 1857. 
Ada L., b. Jan. 29, 1873. 

Verily "a fruitful vine," and Canada seems to have been kind 
to the stock. 



[5] 




VIII 



Ibannab JFowler IRuelino 




ANNAH FOWLER RUSLING, eldest daugh- 
ter of James and Mary Fowler Rusling, was 
born in Hull, Yorkshire, England, August 
21, 1793, and married Edward C. Johnston 
about 1 81 4 at Newburgh, near Hacketts- 
town, New Jersey. About 181 5 they re- 
moved to Clermont County, Ohio, and in 
1844 removed to Knox County, 111., where 
he was a farmer and distiller, but soon gave up the latter busi- 
ness (though thriving at it) on religious principle. He used to 
say he "could have made a great fortune at distilling had he 
continued it," but he would not "for conscience sake." His 
widow, Hannah Fowler, died at Knoxville, in the said county, 
August 14, 1881, in her daughter's house, opposite the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, on Sunday about noon, just as the congrega- 
tion were singing the Doxology. Their son, James Rusling Johns- 
ton, settled there before they did, and died there August 5, 1870; 
— born December 3, 1814. Her husband (Edward C.) died there 
in 185 1. She never remarried. She left a daughter, Janetta, 
and several brothers, but I do not know their names. Some of 
them lived near Knoxville, or Galesburg, Illinois. 

I never saw any of them except Janetta C, born March 3, 
1823. She and her mother visited us here at Trenton two or 
three times, many years ago. Janetta married a Rev. Mr. Ed- 
wards, and had several children by him. She is living 1 at Henri - 



1 Deceased, since above was written. 

66 



IHannab fowler IRusltng 



etta, Clay County, Texas, with her son William Rtisling Edwards, 
who is editor of a newspaper there. Another son, James J., is a 
Methodist preacher and editor at Thermal, Fresno County, Cali- 
fornia. Her brother James Johnston owned a large farm near 
Knoxville, Illinois, but he is now deceased. 

Another daughter, Mary Fowler Johnston, married Robert 
Young, a farmer near Knoxville, Illinois, or Galesburg, who amassed 
a considerable fortune. He is still living, but she died June 22, 
1900, at or near Galesburg, Illinois. She was born June 5, 1826, 
and married Robert Young, November 1, 1843. She joined the 
Methodist Episcopal Church when eleven years old and continued 
a consistent Christian until her decease. She had seven children, 
of whom three are deceased. 

The living are Edward Johnston Young, of Galesburg, Illi- 
nois, Hannah E. Collins, Joseph Rusling Young and Robert L. 
Young, all of Persifer Township, Knox County, near Gales- 
burg, Illinois. They are all farmers, I believe. A granddaughter, 
Mamie, married a druggist named Huff, and now lives in Gales- 
burg, Illinois. 

The following is from the Knox County (111.) Republican of 
August 17, 1881: 

For four years before her decease, Hannah Rusling Johnston was be- 
reft of her sight and for several months was almost helpless. She died on 
the Sabbath about noon. Rev. James W. Haney, of Peoria, Illinois, con- 
ducted the funeral services, assisted by Revs. C. H. St. John and F. R. 
Boggess. At the age of ten years she united with the M. E. church, and 
was ever a consistent Christian. She suffered during the last few years, at 
times intensely, yet always manifested the most perfect resignation to the 
divine will. She sang much, even to within a few weeks of her death; hei 
songs, as her conversation, ever breathed a spirit of steadfast confidence and 
triumphant faith. Her greatest favorite seemed to be the hymn beginning: 

"Sweet is the work, my God, my King, 
To praise thy name, give thanks and sing." 

Her voice seemed to linger with especial fervency on the concluding lines : 

"Soon shall I see, and hear, and know 
All I desired or wished below, 
And every hour find sweet employ 
In that eternal world of joy." 

She leaves a posterity, living, of two children, thirteen grandchildren, 
about thirty great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson. 

67 



Gbe 1Ru0ltn0 family 



James Rusling Johnston, above mentioned, married Nancy 
Stephens, May i, 1836. 

Their Children. 

Hannah, b. March 26, 1837. 

Ellen, b. Feb. 7, 1839. 

Edward C, b. June 14, 1841; d. Aug. 9, 1851. 

Sarah, b. Sept. 5, 1843; d. Sept. 26, 1853. 

Janetta, b. Jan. 26, 1846. 

Ancil B., b. Nov. 3, 1848. 

Mary A., b. July 1, 1851. 

Clarissa, b. Oct. 20, 1854. 

Clarinda, b. Oct. 20, 1854; d. Aug. 1, 1875. 

Nancy A., b. May 16, 1858. 





IX 



(Bersbom IRuelino 




ERSHOM RUSLING, my father, the fourth 
son of James and Mary Fowler Rusling, was 
born in New York soon after the arrival of 
his parents there, and was called "Ger- 
shom" because "a stranger in a strange 
land." 1 He had but little chance for edu- 
cation, because of the reduced circumstances 
of his parents in his earlier years. He used 
to say he was " never at school but three months, and a poor school 
at that. " He was then apprenticed to a wheelwright and carpenter, 
but remained only a month or so, not liking said trade, and then 
returned to his father's farm, and finally went to clerking in his 
father's store, where he found his true vocation. About 1823-4 
he went west to visit his sister, Hannah Fowler Johnston, who 
was then living in Ohio, and traveled as far west as Cincinnati 
and St. Louis. He was gone a year or two, supporting himself 
meanwhile chiefly by teaching singing-school, being himself a fine 
singer, taught by his mother. He came back to New Jersey (bring- 
ing a drove of horses with him, which he sold at a profit) intend- 
ing to return west in the spring, but meanwhile he met and married 
my mother, and then settled in business at Washington, New Jersey, 
in charge of his father's store there, which he afterwards bought 
out, and he became the leading merchant there for twenty years 
and longer. He amassed a fortune of $15,000 or $20,000 (a snug 
sum then and there), and about 1840 retired from business. My 



1 A photograph and also a silhouette of him are in my possession, 
photograph is reproduced herewith. 

69 



The 



Gbe IRuslittG family 



mother died about that time, and he was broken in health and 
concluded to quit business, at least for a time. Down to t*hat time 
he had been an active and enterprising man. He was one of the 
projectors and builders of the Morris Canal, which extended from 
Jersey City, New Jersey, to Easton, Penna., via Washington, New 
Jersey, — one of the great enterprises of that day, — and became one 
of the leading directors of that Company for many years. He also 
bought considerable land at and around Washington, New Jersey, 
and laid out a town there, and about 1832 sold a good many lots 
to people in New York and elsewhere. The panic of 1837 struck 
him heavily, but his creditors were kind, and he pulled through 
with much left. 

Gershom Rusling, it must be conceded, was a first-class busi- 
ness man. He always ranked high as such in every community 
where he lived. He was a fine talker, a good public speaker, and 
gifted as a singer. His skill in anecdote was scarcely excelled by 
Abraham Lincoln himself. He removed from Washington, New 
Jersey, to Cherryville, New Jersey (Hunterdon County), in 1844, 
and to Trenton in 1845, an d died here in 1881, leaving a hand- 
some competency — having doubled his fortune (and more) since 
coming to Trenton. While living here, he was elected Inspector of 
New Jersey State Prison for several years, and also became a direc- 
tor of Crosswicks and Trenton Turnpike Co. for many years. 
He was also class-leader and exhorter, Methodist Episcopal Church 
here, and a memorial window to him was erected in State Street 
Methodist Episcopal Church here in 1892, by my brother Henry 
and myself. He was mainly instrumental in the founding and 
erection of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Washington, New 
Jersey, 1826, and was one of its trustees and incorporators, 1829 
(Book of Corporations, Warren County Clerk's Office, vol. i, p. 
570). He secured most of the subscriptions and was himself a 
liberal contributor thereto. The deed of the church lot was by 
William McCullough and wife to James Rusling, Gershom Rusling, 
Henry Hankinson (his father and father-in-law), and others, in 
trust for Methodist Episcopal Church, 1826, and said James Rus- 
ling was one of the first persons interred in the graveyard annexed 
thereto. 

Gershom Rusling was already an active Methodist when he 
first settled at Washington, having been converted at a camp- 

70 




GERSHOM RUSLING 

I7g6-l88l 

From a photograph, about 1875 



(Bersbom IRusling 



meeting prior thereto. There was then no Methodist church or 
society, indeed, at Washington, New Jersey, but he at once invited 
the Methodist itinerants to make it one of their " preaching places, " 
and for lack of a better place engaged the parlor of the only hotel 
or tavern then there for " divine services. " He was still a bachelor 
and boarded at this tavern (John P. Ribble's, northwest corner 
of Washington and Belvidere Avenues) , and entertained his min- 
isterial friends there, at his own expense. Soon afterwards, he 
was elected a trustee of the school-district there, and then 
secured the use of the public school-house for Methodist worship ; 
but as the community was largely Presbyterian, this presently 
became offensive to the voters of that faith (so bigoted were 
the times) , and at the next election a full board of Presbyterians 
were elected, and the school-house was then closed against the 
"new doctrines." When the people next assembled for worship 
there, without notice of any kind, they found the doors and win- 
dows of the school-house locked and barred, with the trustees 
inside refusing to open; and a noted infidel, passing by, inquir- 
ing the cause, was heard to exclaim, "Devil as I am, I could not 
act that way! " 

Such conduct would have intimidated a less courageous 
Christian, just settled in a new place, especially one anxious for 
business and eager for worldly success; but not so Gershom Rus- 
ling. He carried his Methodist meetings back to the tavern 
again, and immediately began to agitate for a Methodist church 
at Washington. In this he was zealously supported by the few 
liberal-minded men of the community, especially by Judge Gar- 
rett Lacey, then a prominent citizen and free-thinker there, who 
was indignant at such an exhibition of bigotry, and subscribed 
handsomely ($100, I think) to the new enterprise. Other out- 
siders also came forward, chiefly members of no church, and 
Gershom Rusling used often to boast, in after years, that they 
built the church at Washington largely by "milking the goats"! 
He opened a subscription-book in his store, and carried it into 
shops and hotels, and took it to Easton and Belvidere and else- 
where, on his business trips, until he had canvassed the whole 
countryside, and thus secured enough to begin operations with. 
As a pleasing evidence of the changed temper of the times, in 
after years, when the Presbyterians decided to abandon the old 

7 1 



£be IRusltno jfamtty 



"Mansfield Church" 1 (over a mile south of Washington), and to 
erect a church down in Washington, Gershom Rusling presented 
them with a handsome church-lot, 2 and when subsequently their 
new church was burned down, the Methodist church at Washing- 
ton was tendered (and accepted) for Presbyterian use, while they 
were rebuilding. 

Meanwhile, in 1825, he had married Eliza B., second daughter 
of Henry Hankinson, Esq., then a leading lawyer at Washington, 
and grand-daughter of Col. William McCullough, of Asbury. From 
both of these he obtained subscriptions — from the former $100, 
although a Presbyterian elder, and from the latter the same, or 
the lot on which the church stands, it is uncertain which. The 
church itself was begun early in 1825, and finished in 1826. From 
bills, etc., relating to the "erection of the Methodist Meeting- 
House at Washington, New Jersey," found among the papers of 
my father after his decease and from which many of the facts here 
stated are gleaned, it appears that February 25, 1825, they "made 
a frolick to haul brick" for the church, and secured some thirty 
loads in that way. So also Burke and Mixsell, of Easton, Penna., 
who furnished much of the lumber, subscribed "one thousand 
shingles." John P. Ribble, the tavern-keeper aforesaid, subscribed 
liberally, and sometimes kept the preachers and their horses 
gratuitously. Members of the church, who were unable to sub- 
scribe money, gave their time and labor, and often worked at 
night, on the building or the stone wall enclosing the church-yard, 
when their neighbors were asleep. Gershom Rusling himself, on 
moonlight nights, after he had closed his store, would take his 
horses, and go to hauling brick and stone for the church, and thus 
inspired the rest by his own energy and enthusiasm. The church 
was probably dedicated early in 1826. An old subscription list 
in the handwriting of said Henry Hankinson, shows that there 
was a balance due on the church, or "meeting-house," May 11, 
1826, of $375, for which the " Reverend Benjamin Collins (preacher 
in charge) was mainly responsible," and this was authorized to 



1 Originally " Mansfield- Woodhouse Presbyterian Church." In 1822 
changed to "Mansfield Presbyterian Church" and incorporated. In 1877, by 
an Act of Legislature, changed to "First Presbyterian Church of Washing- 
ton, New Jersey." 

2 Snell's Hist. Warren Co., 1886, p. 567. 

72 



(Bersbom IRusltna 



be raised "away from Washington," if practicable, because "the 
people of that vicinity had already exhausted themselves." On 
this "away from Washington" list are the names of William Mc- 
Cullough, Manning Force, Isaac Winner, Anthony Atwood, Sedg- 
wick Rusling (all Methodist preachers except William McCullough) 
and others. The total number of subscribers is twenty-nine, and 
their paid-up subscriptions all told $13.75, f° r which Gershom 
Rusling receipted as steward, so that this "away from Washing- 
ton" enterprise did not amount to much after all! Evidently, it 
was yet "the day of small things" with Methodism in Warren 
County ! 

With the completion of the church, however, there dawned 
a new era for Methodism in Washington. The place became a 
part of Asbury Circuit, with regular preaching every Sunday after- 
noon (or every other Sunday) and preaching or prayer-meeting 
in the evening, and soon there was a large ingathering of souls. 
For years afterwards, however, there was but one class, and of 
this Gershom Rusling continued the leader. This lasted until 
about 1841-2, when the membership was largely increased by a 
stirring revival, and soon afterwards two other classes were formed, 
under Jacob Davis and William Carter — young converts not yet 
out of their probation, but nevertheless made class-leaders (at 
the suggestion of Gershom Rusling), because of their intelligence 
and zeal. The first Sunday-school was organized there, chiefly 
at his instance, in 1842 or '43 (I was a member of it), and held its 
sessions in the church, at first on Sunday morning, but afterwards 
in the afternoon prior to the preaching. He was a fine singer, of 
more than ordinary talent, inherited from his mother, and for 
years was the choir-master of said church, at all the services, with 
great acceptability. For many years he was Recording Steward 
of Asbury Circuit, as was his father before him, and he continued 
to serve in that capacity until his removal from Warren County 
in 1844. 

Gershom Rusling was emphatically a Methodist of the old 
school. He was Recording Steward and class-leader over twenty- 
five years, an exhorter over thirty-five years, and subscriber to 
the Christian Advocate over fifty years. He believed in the old 
paths and ancient ways, and yet heartily welcomed all real and 
true reforms. He believed in lay delegation, and supported it 

73 



Gbe IRusltng ifamtty 



both by word and deed. He believed in the class-meeting, and 
the prayer-meeting ; yet cordially accepted other methods, if 
abundant in "fruits." His house was always the home of Metho- 
dist preachers, but ministers of other denominations were also 
always welcome there. He prided himself on having entertained 
clergymen of all denominations, "even Episcopalians and Catho- 
lics," as he used to say. When residing at Washington he was 
seldom without clerical guests on Sunday, and at quarterly-meet- 
ings and during revivals he kept a regular "Methodist boarding- 
house," free to all, both lay and clerical, for the whole country- 
side. It used to be said that his Methodist brethren "would eat 
him out of house and home," and so great was this feeling at one 
time, his father-in-law, said Henry Hankinson (then a rigid Pres- 
byterian), threatened to disinherit him if he did not discontinue 
such lavish hospitality ; but he retaliated by getting the old gentle- 
man converted to Methodism, and always claimed that the Lord 
repaid him tenfold for all he gave to His apostles and disciples. 
He always talked of God and Heaven, of death and judgment, 
of immortality and duty, as eternal verities, with which he walked 
face to face, and certainly served his day and generation well and 
worthily. 

The following is from the True American, Trenton, New Jersey, 
February 9, 1881, and well expresses the judgment of his neighbors: 

Gershom Rusling, who died in this city on the 5th instant, was a gen- 
tleman quite extensively known in the State of New Jersey. He was the 
brother of two quite eminent Methodist preachers, Joseph and Sedgwick. 
The writer of this sketch remembers them both in early life as earnest and 
efficient workers. Gershom was also identified with the Methodist Church for 
over fifty years, and held the position of exhorter and class-leader. Mr. 
Rusling was the father of General James F. Rusling, and was born in New 
York city, September 1, 1796, of English parentage. Soon after his birth 
his parents moved to Warren county, N. J., where in due time Gershom 
settled in Washington, N. J., and for twenty years was the leading merchant 
and business man of that section of country. In 1845 ne came to Trenton 
and purchased a farm on the White Horse Road, which is now a part of 
Chambersburg. About ten years ago he became a resident of this city. 
He was an estimable citizen, a kind husband and father. He was naturally 
a genial and good friend, and his company was always enjoyable. The 
latter years of his life he suffered from the infirmities of age, but he was 
always delighted to be in the company of those who knew him and re- 
membered with him the struggles of former years. His funeral takes place 
to-day. 

74 



(Bersbom IRusIing 



The following is from the Christian Advocate, New York, April 
7, 1 88 1, and is a fuller account of him: 

Gershom Rusling. 

This veteran Methodist, son of James Rusling and Mary Fowler, was 
born in New York City Sept. i, 1796, and died in Trenton, N. J., Feb. 5, 
1 88 1. He was the father of a family of Methodists, of whom Gen. James 
F. Rusling, of Trenton, N. J., is best known to the Church at large. His 
early life was spent in Warren County, N. J., chiefly near Hackettstown, and 
at Washington. His parents, also, were Methodists, of an earnest type, 
from Hull, England, and two of his brothers (Joseph and Sedgwick) became 
Methodist ministers, well known throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania. 
Fifty years ago Rev. Joseph Rusling, then of Philadelphia, was one of the 
popular orators and poets of our Church. His "Sunday-school Hymns" 
were long in general use, and some he wrote survived down to our last 
"Collection." His brother Gershom (subject of this memoir) early em- 
braced religion, being converted at a camp-meeting in Northern Jersey, and 
for many years was the life and soul of our Church at Washington, N. J. 
Owing chiefly to his efforts our first Methodist Episcopal church was erected 
there, in 1825-26, and he continued an active official member there until his 
removal to Trenton in 1845. He had been the leading merchant and business 
man at Washington, but his health failing after his removal to Trenton, he 
lived more quiet and retired. He was Recording Steward and class-leader 
over twenty-five years, an exhorter over thirty-five years, and a subscriber 
to the Advocate over fifty years. His house was always the welcome home of 
gospel ministers, but especially of Methodist preachers, and he never ceased 
to talk of George Banghart, Manning Force, David Bartine, Lawrence 
McComb, Isaac Winner, Bishop Janes, Bishop Scott, and other worthies, 
who had gathered about his fireside in previous years. 

He was married three times, and left a widow and three sons surviving, 
the latter all children of his first wife, Eliza B., daughter of Henry Hankin- 
son, Esq., formerly a prominent member of the bar at Washington, N. J. 
He had great force of will and sturdy independence of character in all things. 
As a business man, he was shrewd and sagacious. As a husband, he was 
tender and kind. As a father, he was affectionate and devoted to his children. 
As a citizen, he was upright and honest. Socially, he was gifted as a talker, 
and noted for his fund of anecdotes and power of repartee. As a Christian, 
he was rooted and grounded in "the faith once delivered to the saints;" a 
true son of John Wesley and Francis Asbury; a fine representative of our 
old Methodism, and he greatly loved to compare our modern pulpiteers 
with Lawrence McComb, Charles Pitman, and such old heroes of the past. 

His faith was clear and steadfast to the end. He read the Scriptures 
daily. He maintained family prayer to the last; and his latest intelligible 
utterance was, "Happy, happy in the Lord." He loved the Church and all 
her institutions, and never doubted that his steps were "ordered by the 
Lord." Surely such a man has not died, but merely "passed over to the 
majority." There he will meet his loved ones gone before, and there, reju- 

75 



Gbe IRuslfng yamtty 



venated and reinvigorated in mind and body, he will continue to work for 
the Master while eternity endures. Good friend, brave heart, manly soul, 
veteran Methodist, hail and farewell! *** 

The Family Record of Gershom Rusling (from his Family 
Bible in my possession, dated 1828) is as follows: 

Gershom Rusling, b. Sept. 1, 1796; d. Feb. 5, 1881; m. Eliza 
B. Hankinson, March — , 1825, by Rev. Benjamin Collins; 
m. Hannah Matthews, July 7, 1841, by Rev. G. Banghart; 
m. Sarah Hill, Dec. 13, i860, by Rev. R. Vanhorn. 

Eliza Budd Hankinson Rusling, b. April 13, 1803; d. Dec. 3, 
1838. 1 

Hannah Matthews Rusling, b. Oct. 22, 1796; d. May 19, 1858. 

Sarah Hill Rusling, b. Sept. 18, 1816; d. April 28, 1887,' with- 
out issue. 

His Children. 

William McCullough Henry Hankinson, b. Feb. 28, 1826; d. 

Sept. 14, 1907; never married. 
Ann Maria, b. Jan. 1, 1828; d. Dec. 13, 1872, without issue. 4 
Emma, b. April 5, 1830; d. March 30, 1873.' 
Gershom, Jr., b. May 5, 1832. 
James Fowler, b. April 14, 1834. 
John P. B. Sloan, b. Sept. 19, 1836; d. Jan. 9, 1838. 4 
Eliza Keturah, b. Sept. 13, 1838; d. Aug. 4, 1858. 4 

His first wife, and mother of all his children, Eliza Budd, was 
the daughter of Major Henry Hankinson, lawyer, etc., of Wash- 
ington, New Jersey (son of Gen. Aaron Hankinson, Sussex County, 
New Jersey, War of 1776, see pp. 110-113), and grand-daughter of 
Col. William McCullough (son of Capt. Benjamin McCullough, 
both War of 1776, see p. 126). She was a handsome lady, with 
singular beauty of life and character. (See p. 112.) 

His second wife, Hannah, was the daughter of Jeremiah Mat- 
thews (War of 1776) and Kesia Allen, Mt. Pleasant, Hunterdon 
County, New Jersey, son of William Matthews, who emigrated 
from Wales to Mount Airy (or near by), Hunterdon County, New 
Jersey, about 1740. His brothers were Henry, William, Joseph, 
Jesse, and Pierson, and their descendants live at or near Mt. 



1 Interred Asbury, New Jersey. 

2 Interred Asbury, New Jersey. 

3 Interred Flemington, New Jersey. 

4 Interred, Asbury, New Jersey. 

6 Interred, Lambertville, New Jersey. 

76 



(Bersbom TRueling 



Pleasant, Frenchtown, etc., New Jersey, still. She was an exem- 
plary lady of more than ordinary worth (far beyond the average 
of stepmothers) and always did her best "according to her lights." 
His third wife, Sarah, was the daughter of Joachim Hill, Flem- 
ington, New Jersey. 

His (Gershom Rusling's) eldest son " William McCullough 
Henry Hankinson" (after his great-grandfather and grandfather 
on his mother's side), but always called William Henry, or 
" Henry " for short (usually written " William H." or "W. Henry"), 
was educated at St. Matthew's Hall, Port Colden, New Jersey, 
and Pennington Seminary, Pennington, New Jersey. In early 
manhood he was engaged in mercantile pursuits, in Trenton, 
Philadelphia, and Chicago, but subsequently returned to Tren- 
ton, and assisted in caring for his father and his property in his 
old age. After his father's decease, he engaged in the real estate 
business in Trenton, and acquired a competency. He was never 
married, and now lives in Trenton, New Jersey, 221 East Han- 
over Street. 1 He was one of the original members of State 
Street Methodist Episcopal Church here (1859), and for years 
was a liberal contributor thereto; but is now a member of 
Broad Street Park Methodist Episcopal Church, which he helped 
largely to build, and was a trustee thereof until he resigned be- 
cause of advancing years. 

His (Gershom Rusling's) eldest daughter, Ann M. (named after 
her great-aunt Ann Maria Disosway, afterwards wife of Rev. 
Charles F. Deems, D.D., LL.D., of New York City), married 
Edmund Hance, city physician, at Trenton, New Jersey, October 
4, i860, but previously and subsequently he was a minister of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Dr. Hance was born January 15, 
18 16. He was a man of a good deal of mind and character, and as 
a minister was stationed at Princeton, Glassboro, etc. But his 
health failed, and he became a physician again and died at Glass- 
boro, New Jersey, November 29, 1872. Mrs. Hance also died soon 
afterwards (December 13, 1872), at my father's house, Trenton, 
New Jersey. She was of a devout and deeply religious nature, and 



1 Died September 14, 1907, and interred at Trenton, N. J., leaving a 
handsome estate — partly to public charities, and balance to many relatives 
and friends. 



77 



£be IRueling Jfamtty 



beloved by everybody — by my father especially. He always said 
she resembled my mother particularly. She was a Sunday-school 
officer and Bible-class teacher many years. Dr. Hance was pre- 
viously married (in 1844) to Hannah Maria Woolston, who died in 
1855. Her children, Mary, Edmund, and Beulah, all deceased, 
unmarried. 

His (Gershom Rusling's) second daughter, Emma, married 
Stacy Barcroft Bray, son of Hon. Wilson Bray, formerly sheriff 
of Hunterdon County, New Jersey, June 19, 1861. Mr. Bray lived 
at Lambertville, New Jersey, and was long in the employ of the 
Belvidere and Delaware Railroad there, and also County Free- 
holder and Mayor of Lambertville. She had one child, Eliza 
K., born August 16, 1863, married January 22, 1889, to William 
Cox, son of William and Hester Cox, born December 19, 1855, 
and living in Philadelphia, without issue. Mr. Bray was a wid- 
ower when he married sister Emma, and also remarried again 
after her decease, but died at Lambertville, — b. September 16, 
1825; d. March 30, 1905. His first marriage was to Mary Ellen 
Coryell, January 1, 1850, with issue as follows: Eugene, Lizzie 
and Ella twins, and Clarence Arden; his 3d to Elizabeth War- 
ner, March 1, 1876, with issue as follows: Elizabeth, Adelaide, 
Stacy B., Jr. 

His (Gershom Rusling's) second son, Gershom, was named after 
his father, and early engaged in mercantile pursuits also, in Tren- 
ton, Petersburg, Virginia, and Chicago, but finally in New York. 
He lived at Passaic, New Jersey, and also acquired a compe- 
tency, but afterwards lost most of it by unfortunate invest- 
ments in mines, patent rights, etc. He m. Isabell, daughter of 
Thomas K. Ross, of Morristown, New Jersey, February 5, 1857; 
she d. at Ocean Grove, New Jersey, July 22, 1893, and was buried 
at Morristown. 

They were both members of the Methodist Church in early 
life, but afterwards became Episcopalians. They have had three 
children, to wit: Lizzie B., b. September 1, 1859; Miriam H., b. 
December 1, 1864; and Lillie A., b. June 14, 1867; all still liv- 
ing. Lizzie B. m. Frank Jarvis, February 24, 1885. No issue. 
Miriam H. m. Frederick F. C. Demarest, September 3, 1889, 
and they have had three children, as follows: Theodore F., b. July 
19, 1890; Frederick R., b. December 10, 1891; William C, b. 

78 



(Bersbom TRueling 



March 6, 1894. Lillie A. is still a spinster, and living at Passaic, 
New Jersey. 

For his (Gershom Rusling's) third son, James Fowler Rusling, 
see Chapter X. p. 80. 

Gershom Rusling's third daughter, Eliza Keturah (named 
after her mother and aunt Keturah Sloan), died at her father's 
house, Trenton, New Jersey, unmarried. 

His daughters were all three members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church from childhood, and all fine singers, taught by their 
father, and members of church choirs for many years. 

His fourth son, John P. B. Sloan (named after his uncle Dr. 
John P. B. Sloan, Easton, Penna.), died in infancy, and is interred 
at Asbury, New Jersey. 





General James jFowIer IRusling 




AMES FOWLER RUSLING (author of this 
volume), third son of Gershom Rusling, so 
named after his grandfather and grand- 
mother, James and Mary Fowler Rusling, 
was born April 14, 1834, at Washington, 
Warren County, New Jersey, but removed, 
March, 1845, to Trenton, New Jersey, with 
his father and family. 1 He was educated at 
Trenton Academy, Pennington Seminary, and Dickinson College 
(Carlisle, Penna.), taking first honors at Pennington, 1852, and 
second honors at Dickinson, 1854, with degree of A.B., having 
entered Junior there. He delivered the Master's Oration and 
received his degree of A.M. at Dickinson College, 1857. He 
was Professor of Natural Science and Belles Lettres at Dickinson 
Seminary, Williamsport, Penna., 1854 to 1858, and at the same 
time read law, and was admitted to Pennsylvania bar 1857 and 
New Jersey bar 1859. He settled in Trenton, in the practice of 
law, 1859, and was elected County Solicitor of Mercer County 
1 86 1, and continued there until August, 186 1, when he became 
first lieutenant and quartermaster Fifth Regiment New Jersey 
Infantry Volunteers. He served all through the Civil War, — in 
Army of the Potomac to fall of 1863, in Department of the Cum- 
berland to summer of 1865, and in United States War Department 
to September, 1867, at regimental, brigade, division, corps, army, 
and department head-quarters, and retired as Brigadier General 



1 The following account of General Rusling taken mainly from "White- 
head's Judicial and Civil History of New Jersey," p. 106. 

80 




GENERAL JAMES FOWLER RUSLING, U.S. VOLS. 
From a photograph, 1866. ^itat. 32. 



General 3ames jfowler IRusling 



United States Volunteers (brevet) "for meritorious and distin- 
guished services, War of 1861. " He was thus five times promoted, 
on the recommendation of such officers as Generals Patterson, 
Mott, Sickles, Hooker, McClellan, Meade, Thomas, Sherman, and 
Grant, and served in succession at regimental, brigade, division, 
corps, army, department and general United States army head- 
quarters — a record unequaled in kind by any New Jersey or other 
officer, it is believed. 1 

Returning to law practice, in 1868 he received the Republican 
nomination for Congress (second New Jersey District) over Ex- 
Governor Newell, but was defeated by a small majority, this 
district being heavily Democratic as then constituted. In 1869 
he was appointed United States Pension Agent for New Jersey 
by President Grant, and reappointed until 1877, when the New 
Jersey Agency (with others) was abolished by consolidation. He 
resumed general law practice and real estate business, and became 
counselor-at-law in all New Jersey and United States Courts; 
also Master in Chancery and Notary Public. In 1895 he was ap- 
pointed by Governor Werts on a commission to consider certain 
lands at Englishtown, New Jersey, for a blind asylum, etc.; in 

1896 he was appointed by Governor Griggs on a commission to 
investigate the whole subject of Taxation in New Jersey; and in 

1897 a commissioner for New Jersey to Tennessee Centennial 
Exposition, and became President of the New Jersey Commis- 
sion there. He organized four land associations at Trenton, New 
Jersey (1869-1889), and became secretary, treasurer, and solicitor 
of each (Linden Park, Hamilton avenue, Greenwood avenue, and 
Broad Street), and conducted all successfully and profitably. In 
1871 he also organized the Linden Park Loan and Building Asso- 
ciation, as solicitor, etc., and it was conducted satisfactorily. He 



1 He participated in McClellan's Peninsula campaign, Pope's Bull Run 
campaign, Burnside's Fredericksburg campaign, Hooker's Chancellorsville 
campaign, Meade's Gettysburg campaign, Grant's Chattanooga campaign, 
Sherman's Atlanta campaign, and Thomas's Nashville campaign. He was 
present at battles of Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Savage Station, 
Glendale, Malvern Hill, Manassas (2d), Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, 
Rappahannock Station, Bristoe (all Virginia), Williamsport, Maryland; 
Chattanooga, Tennessee; Atlanta, Georgia; Nashville, Tennessee; Hell 
Canon, Arizona, etc. 

[6] 81 



Gbe IRusling family 



has made many investments, real estate and otherwise, and man- 
aged large affairs for himself and others, prudently and well. 
As author, he has written considerably for various periodicals 
— magazines and otherwise. In 1875 he published a volume en- 
titled: "Across America; or, the Great West and the Pacific 
Coast," being an account of his observations and adventures 
there 1866-7, when Inspector United States Army, which passed 
through two editions. In 1886 he wrote a "History of State 
Street Methodist Episcopal Church, Trenton, New Jersey," with 
a summary of early Methodism in Trenton and New Jersey. In 
1876 he delivered the Annual Address at both Dickinson Seminary 
and Dickinson College, and in 1888 and 1895 the Annual Address 
at Pennington Seminary. In 1890 he wrote a "History of Pen- 
nington Seminary." In 1869, as their first counsel, he wrote the 
charter and by-laws for the Ocean Grove Camp-Meeting Associa- 
tion. In 1889 he delivered the Fourth of July Oration there. In 
1890 he received the degree of LL.D. from Dickinson College. 
In 1895-1900 he delivered an address on the "March of Method- 
ism," in Philadelphia, Camden, Bridgeton, Atlantic City, Long 
Branch, New Brunswick, Ocean Grove, Trenton, Bridgeport, 
Connecticut, Cleveland, Ohio, Lynn, Massachusetts, Waterville, 
Maine, New York, Harrisburg, Baltimore, Washington, D. C, 
and elsewhere, and has been a frequent speaker at literary, politi- 
cal, and religious gatherings, in New Jersey and other states, since 
1859. In 1888, at dedication of New Jersey monuments, Gettys- 
burg, Penna., he delivered the oration for Fifth Regiment New 
Jersey Volunteers. In 1891 he organized the Mercer County 
Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument Association, and became its 
first president. He has spoken on "Memorial Day" (May 30th) 
every year since 1868 nearly, in New Jersey and elsewhere. In 
1892 he delivered an address on "Christopher Columbus," at 
Pennington Seminary and elsewhere. In 1896, at Asbury Park, 
New Jersey, he read a paper on the " Battle of Monmouth" before 
the New Jersey Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, 
which was a full and critical account of that battle, and of much 
historic value. In 1898 he delivered the Semi-Centennial Address 
at Dickinson Seminary. In 1899 he published "Men and Things 
I Saw in Civil War Days" (a volume of 411 pages), and in 1902 
" European Days and Ways" — (an account of his tour of Europe, 

82 



General 3ames fowler IRuslina 



1899), both of which were handsomely noticed by the press and 
had large sales. 

He joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1848, and has 
been a member of State Street Methodist Episcopal Church, 
Trenton, New Jersey, since its organization, 1859, and a trustee 
and local preacher there many years. He was one of the chief 
founders of both Broad Street and Broad Street Park Methodist 
Episcopal churches, Trenton, New Jersey, and contributed largely 
both to these and other churches. He was President of Mercer 
County Sunday-school Association, 1875-1876, and trustee of 
Dickinson College 1862 to 1880, and again since 1904. Also was 
trustee of Pennington Seminary 1868 to 1904, and President Board 
of Trustees 1889 to 1899, and now Trustee Emeritus there. In 1852 
he founded (or helped to found) the Alpha Omega Society there. 
In 1888 he founded the " Rusling Medal" for good conduct and 
high scholarship there. In 1904 he founded the "Rusling Scholar- 
ship" at Dickinson College, for the best senior there (male or 
female). In 189 1 he was elected member of Board of Managers 
of General Missionary Society Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
soon afterwards Vice President of the Board. In 1896 he was 
elected lay delegate to the General Conference Methodist Episcopal 
Church, Cleveland, Ohio, for New Jersey Conference, and deliv- 
ered the laymen's response to that city's address of welcome. He 
has been elected member of General Missionary Committee Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church repeatedly, and met with them at Phila- 
delphia, Brooklyn, New York, Albany, Washington, Pittsburg, 
Omaha, etc. In 1903 he delivered the Trustees' Address at Penn- 
ington Seminary, at the inauguration of President Marshall. Also, 
same year, an address on John Wesley, at Trenton, New Jersey. 
In 1904 he made the address of welcome to the New Jersey 
Conference from the Trenton churches. In 1904-5 he raised 
$2000 for the chapel organ at Pennington Seminary. In 1903 
he delivered an oration on George Washington, before the High 
School, Trenton, New Jersey; also, same year, on Abraham 
Lincoln, before the Republican Club, Trenton, New Jersey; also 
in 1907 a Memorial Address on Bishop McCabe, before State 
Street Methodist Episcopal Church, Trenton, New Jersey; also 
in 1907 address for New Jersey Conference at Semi-Centennial 
Reunion of Newark and New Jersey Conferences, Morristown, 



83 



ftbe IRuslfna family 



New Jersey; also May 30, 1907, Memorial Day address at Pen- 
nington, New Jersey. 

He is a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion 
United States (Pennsylvania Commandery), Wilkes Post No. 23, 
G. A. R., Third Corps Union, Society of the Army of the Potomac, 
Society of the Army of the Cumberland, Historical Society, New 
Jersey, Sons of the American Revolution, New Jersey, Revolution 
Memorial Society New Jersey, the Republican Club, Trenton, New 
Jersey, Ashlar Lodge No. 76, F. & A. Masons, Union Philosophical 
Society (Dickinson College), President Mercer County Soldiers' 
and Sailors' Monument Association, etc. In politics he was bred 
a Democrat (his father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great- 
great-grandfather before him); but in 1856 he cast his first vote 
for Fremont, and has continued a Republican, voting for every 
Republican President. 

His Family Record is as follows : 

James Fowler Rusling, third son of Gershom Rusling and 
Eliza B. Hankinson, b. April 14, 1834; m. Mary Freeman, 
dau. of Rev. Isaac Winner, D.D., Pennington, New Jersey, 
January 1, 1858; m. Emily Elizabeth, dau. of Isaac Wood, 
Trenton, New Jersey, June 30, 1870. 

Mary F., 1st wife, b. April 12, 1833; d. April 19, 1858; int. Penning- 
ton, New Jersey. No issue. 

Emily E., 2d wife, b. Dec. 29, 1847. 

Their Children. 

James Wood, b. May 31, 1874. 
Emily Wells, b. Oct. 18, 1884. 

Emily Elizabeth Wood was the daughter of Isaac Wood, Esq., 
son of Moses Wood, Halifax, Yorkshire, England, b. 1819. Moses 
Wood was a descendant of Michael Wood, of Tinker Hey, North 
Dean, Halifax vicarage, Yorkshire, England, whose will dated 1537 
is still in the possession of the Wood Family, Trenton, New Jersey. 
Isaac Wood was a man of character and fortune (made chiefly by 
himself, as merchant and investor, at Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and Tren- 
ton, N. J.), and left six children — Isaac T., Emily E., Ira W. (now 
Member of Congress, Fourth District, New Jersey), Ella P., Ed- 
ward S., and William P. Three of the sons became lawyers, Tren- 
ton, New Jersey. 



General 3ames fowler Vualtng 



James Wood Rusling was educated at Trenton, New Jersey, 
and Princeton University — Class of 1897 — and afterwards traveled 
extensively in America and Europe, 1899, etc.; member of Phila- 
delphia Stock Exchange 1897-1904; real estate and investment 
broker, Trenton, New Jersey, 1904; Notary Public and Commis- 
sioner of Deeds, New Jersey; member of Military Order of the 
Loyal Legion United States (Pennsylvania Commandery), and of 
Princeton Club, Trenton, New Jersey. In politics, a Republican. 
Emily Wells Rusling was educated at Trenton, New Jersey, and 
also traveled extensively in America and Europe, 1899. 

The following are some of the press notices of General Rus- 
ling's three chief books, referred to on pp. 82-83: 

Across America; or, The Great West and the Pacific Coast. By 
Gen. James F. Rusling. One Vol., large i2mo, Elegantly Illustrated, 
and with a Map. Sheldon & Co., Publishers, 677 Broadway, New 
York. Price $2.00. 

It is an account of fifteen thousand miles of travel — across the Plains, 
among the Rocky Mountains, via Salt Lake and the Columbia to California, 
through Arizona and Nevada, and home by the Isthmus — of which 2000 
were by railroad, 2000 by stage-coach, 3000 by ambulance or on horseback, 
and the remainder by steamer. It discusses our Gold and Silver Mines — 
our Railroad, Indian, Mormon, and Chinese questions — all our varied in- 
terests West and on the Pacific Coast, and is intensely interesting to every- 
body. 

Opinions of the Press. 

It is one of those books which all should have who are desirous of 
learning something of the wonderful resources, the magnificent scenery, 
and the surpassing grandeur of the Great West. — Public Opinion, Trenton, 
New Jersey. 

A really charming volume, written in a vivacious and interesting style, 
well illustrated, and handsomely published. — Boston Post. 

Among the many books descriptive of the western portion of our coun- 
try, we are disposed to place this quite at the head. Having special facili- 
ties, he used them with acute ability. — N. Y. Christian at Work. 

A very interesting book. Gen. Rusling, by reason of his orders, was 
able to see, and is able to report much that does not come under the obser- 
vation of every-day travelers. — N. Y. Methodist. 

Gen. Rusling has written a capital book in a capital way. The best- 
read persons will gain something from it, and to those unacquainted with 
recent travel it will be a liberal education. — North American and U. S. 
Gazette, Philadelphia. 

It is replete with information and anecdote, adventure and descrip- 
tion, from the first page to the last. — State Gazette, Trenton, N. J. 

85 



Gbe IRuslfng family 



This volume is no mere descriptive account of oft-described scenes, but 
contains much that is new and interesting. — N. Y. Independent. 

The narrative is lively, the style forcible, and the facts reliable. — N. Y. 
Christian Advocate. 

His account of things at Salt Lake is worth more than the price of the 
book. — The Presbyterian. 

His tour penetrates regions seldom entered by the mere pleasure- 
seeker. — Chicago Tribune. 

A series of faithful, if not brilliant sketches of personal incident and 
adventure, and strikingly illustrates the development of vitality, intelli- 
gence, and material success in the Great West and on the Pacific Coast. — 
N. Y. Tribune. 

Next to making the trip over the Rocky Mountains and along the Pa- 
cific Coast, is the pleasure of reading some clever book upon the subject, 
like this of Gen. Rusling's. — Brooklyn Union. 

Much of this journey was over fields rarely, if ever, visited by others, 
and the best-read persons will find page after page of the deepest interest. 
— Boston Globe. 

Written in a lively style, and full of charming descriptions. We venture 
to say that but few will begin the perusal without finishing it. — Daily Journal, 
Elizabeth, N.J. 

A charming book, and we earnestly recommend it as one of the best 
books on the Far West. — The Troy (N. Y.) Press. 

A very entertaining volume. — Central Advocate, St. Louis, Mo. 

A very agreeable book. — The Dispatch, Pittsburgh, Pa. 

A very readable book. — Evening Post, San Francisco, Cal. 

From the pen of a fresh and keen observer. — Princeton (N. J.) Press. 

The most readable book of travel in the Great West with which we 
have recently met. It abounds in interest, and some of its incidents are 
exceedingly dramatic. A vast quantity of information of value to the gen- 
eral public. — Boston Gazette. 

Replete with useful information, without pretension or affectation. — 
Daily Guardian, Paterson, N. J. 

Not the usual routine of brigadier book-making. It treats one to some 
new views of life among army people and miners. — N. Y. World. 

It abounds in incidents of travel, and occasionally of perilous adven- 
ture, marked by shrewd observations, and sharp but good-natured hits at 
our social peculiarities. — Evening Bulletin, San Francisco, Cal. 

One of the best records of American travel with which we are acquainted. 
He tells his interesting story without any attempt at fine writing, and makes 
a valuable contribution to our knowledge of this great continent. — N. Y. 
Christian Age. 

Men and Things I saw in Civil War Days. By James F. Rusling, A.M., 
LL.D., Brigadier General (by Brevet) U. S. Volunteers. Crown 8vo, 411 
pages. Cloth. Gilt Top. 13 Illustrations. Eaton & Mains, Publishers, 
New York, Chicago, San Francisco. $2.50. 

86 



General 3ames fowler IRusltng 



Press Notices. 
Men and Things I saw in Civil War Days is a valuable part of that vast 
store of information concerning the greatest civil war of record. The sweep 
and achievements of the war are history. But the experiences and personal 
touches of its great characters and its obscure heroes are to be found chiefly 
in such books as this. This has the virtues of private glances at the great 
characters, and also of reliability. While parts are as gossipy as the talks 
at the great camp fires, yet they are free from exaggeration. Out of this and 
kindred books some future Plutarch will gather his deathless volumes. — 
Bishop C. H. Fowler. 

"a superb volume of absorbing interest." 
Men and Things I saw in Civil War Days is a volume of absorbing in- 
terest, with lifelike portraits of our great commanders from photos picked 
up during the war or selected since. General Rusling met the war leaders of 
whom he treats, and served with them. He has also made exhaustive re- 
search of data relating to their campaigns and battles. The Civil War has 
been treated in poetry and prose so much that many think nothing new can 
be said. But when General Rusling's superb volume is only partially de- 
voured the reader delightfully admits this impression is false. No one can 
read this distinguished author's book without a keen relish. — The Times 
{Trenton, N. J .). 

"ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S RELIGIOUS SIDE." 

This volume contains fifteen chapters, the majority of which are de- 
voted to our great commanders, under whom General Rusling served. Very 
appropriately the first is devoted to President Lincoln, and it is one of the 
best. Special emphasis is given to the religious side of Mr. Lincoln. Having 
passed the Union leaders in review, General Rusling next ventures across 
the line and places an estimate on Robert E. Lee, comparing him with Gen- 
eral Grant. The volume has an excellent index. The publishers have given 
it a fine dress. — True American {Trenton, N. J .). 

"OF LIVELY INTEREST CONSPICUOUSLY READABLE." 

General Rusling's story is of lively interest. It gives a record of men and 
things exactly as seen by the writer. He served through the war from be- 
ginning to end, and has a shrewd gift of observation, a sense of humor and 
of dramatic effect, and a retentive memory. Conjoined with these is a judg- 
ment discriminating and always inclined toward the kindly and charitable. 
There are chapters of direct and unaffected personal narrative and incident, 
with a running fire of opinion and judgment on Lincoln, Johnson, McClellan, 
Burnside, Hooker, Meade, Thomas, Sherman, Sheridan, and Grant. Also a 
chapter on General Lee. General Rusling has made a conspicuously read- 
able volume. — New York Tribune. 

"REMINDS US OF THE MEMOIRS OF GENERAL GRANT." 

Every old soldier and patriot will devour this volume with absorbing 
interest. In its simplicity, directness, lucidity, and freedom from striving 
after rhetorical embellishment, General Rusling's narrative forcibly re- 

87 



Gbe 1Ru6ltng family 



minds us of the matchless Memoirs of General Grant. His momentous 
events are described with picturesque vividness, and with a judicial impar- 
tiality that is most engaging. His dissections of the characters and bal- 
ancing of the merits and demerits of our great commanders who figured in 
the Civil War are decidedly Plutarchian, and make mighty interesting read- 
ing. — New Brunswick (N. J.) Freedonian. 

"AN INTERESTING RECORD ESPECIALLY ENTERTAINING." 

General James F. Rusling has published an interesting record of events 
and men as he saw them while serving in the army. Not the least interest- 
ing feature are the letters that he wrote home from the army. This book is 
especially entertaining, and may be read with profit by any person, no matter 
how much he may know about the Civil War. — State Gazette (Trenton, N. J.). 

"not a commonplace book on the war." 
The author treats the Civil War from the subjective point of view. He 
gives his own impressions of men and things, so that his book is a measure 
of the observer as well as the observed. His high military position, which 
kept him in touch with headquarters, and his constant intercourse with men 
engaged in terrific and deadly conflict, gave him an opportunity to study the 
shifting scenes before him, of which he has made good use. — Advertiser 
(Trenton, N. J.). 

"EVERY AMERICAN CITIZEN OUGHT TO READ IT." 

This is a publication worthy of the author, and is an addition to the 
literature of one of the greatest wars in history. General Rusling tells the 
story as he saw and felt it. His record of the conversation with President 
Lincoln on the Sunday after the battle of Gettysburg sweeps away forever 
all ideas that Lincoln was not a believer in the God of this nation. There 
are partisans who will not agree with the author, but they will read him. 
There are others who will rejoice that the Giver of Victory shielded General 
Rusling, and led him out of the din of war into the quiet of his own home, 
where, "with the pen of a ready writer," he has given to a reading public 
and the world an account of men and things with truth stamped on every 
page. Every American citizen ought to read it or have it read to him. — 
Peninsula Methodist (Wilmington, Del.). 

"FULL OF FINE SKETCHES OF FINE THINGS." 

Readers in general will be glad to lay their hands on a book which has 
so much positive information and opinion to impart. The volume begins 
with Lincoln, and relates the great President's own story (in presence of the 
author) of his wrestling with God in prayer for victory at Gettysburg. The 
author's judgments are evidently based on his own original convictions and 
observations. And in general they grow in breadth and critical value with 
his service. . . . Still the book is full of fine sketches and fine things. 
The budget of Army Letters, made up from the author's own correspondence 
during the war, is an extremely interesting insight into the conditions of 
the time, and makes an original feature in the volume, of which every reader 
should avail himself eagerly. — The Independent (N. Y.). 



(Beneral 3ames fowler TRueling 



"describes with picturesque and military insight.'.' 

This is a vivid, realistic, and stirring volume. It brings before the mind 
our great leaders, civil and military, and outlines graphically their distinc- 
tive personalities. He describes with picturesqueness and with military 
insight the character of the men with whom he was thrown into contact. 
A chapter is devoted to the "Angel of the Third Corps," Miss Helen L. 
Gilson, who did wonders for our sick and wounded, 1862-63. We have 
found the "Army Letters'! intensely interesting. They have not been 
"doctored," and they give an inside view of soldier life, which is very graphic 
and pointed. — Rev. J. B. Young, D.D., author of What a Boy Saw in the 
Army. — Central Advocate (St. Louis, Mo.). 

"this book one to linger over." 
This is a book of remarkable interest. General Rusling has rendered a 
valuable service to the American public in publishing it. His account of 
the death of General Bayard at Fredericksburg is told with graphic simplicity. 
He draws the portrait of "Fighting Joe Hooker" with a loving hand. The 
portraits are excellent — that of Sherman especially. This book is one to 
linger over. Old soldiers will read it with eager delight. Young Americans 
will delight in it, and will be inspired as well as instructed by it. — Rev . Dr. 
Sawyer, an old soldier. — Northern Advocate (Syracuse, N. Y.). 

"with silhouette effects." 
General Rusling had ample opportunity for observation, as his appoint- 
ments were at regimental, brigade, division, corps, army, department and 
general U.S.A. headquarters, both East and West, 1861-1867. His personal 
impressions are recorded simply, with silhouette effects, and unrelieved by 
the light and shade of circumstance and environment. — Globe-Democrat 
(St. Louis, Mo.). 

"the charm of a fireside story." 

This book has the charm of a fireside story. The author seems to be 
the fair-minded critic of everyone and the admiring friend of all. — Michigan 
Advocate (Detroit, Mich.). 

"his army letters deeply interesting." 
The first eleven chapters are given to portraitures of Lincoln, McClellan, 
Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, Thomas, Hooker, etc. In "Campaigning and Sol- 
diering" we get glimpses of the rank and file. In the "Angel of the Third 
Corps," of the hospitals. The most deeply interesting portion of the book, 
however, consists of the old Army Letters, written from the front, never in- 
tended for publication, and full of simple accounts of the soldier's daily life, 
joys, and sufferings. — Free Press (Detroit, Mich.). 

"it needs no commendation." 

This interesting volume by General Rusling is from his memory and 

from the diary and journal he kept during the war. It is written in the most 

graphic and vigorous style, and with military directness. A distinct personal 

value will be found in the Army Letters, which it was the soldier's good habit 



£be IRusltna family 



to write home every Sunday, and here introduced. The volume, however, 
needs no commendation. It stands upon its own merits, and the accom- 
plished author may be heartily congratulated upon his achievement in let- 
ters, as well as upon his bravery and skill in arms. — Public Ledger {Phila- 
delphia, Pa.). 

A HAPPY THOUGHT. 

This is a most interesting, instructive, and worthy addition to the 
many books on the Civil War. One of the most absorbing and best chap- 
ters is that on "Campaigning and Soldiering." It was a happy thought to 
embrace in the closing chapters his Army Letters, written to friends at home, 
which give vivid pictures of army life, and also possess historic value. Gen- 
eral Rusling made good use of his opportunities for observation and infor- 
mation. — Christian Intelligencer (N. Y.). 

"lively chapters." 
The author has put his recollections of leading men he met into lively 
chapters. The book is well printed, and the portraits are generally well 
chosen. — The Nation (2V. Y.). 

"knows what he is writing about." 
This book gives evidence of being the product of one who knows by 
actual observation and experience what he is writing about. His descrip- 
tions are strikingly realistic. — Religious Telescope (Dayton, O.). 

"few books comparable.". 
Every year adds to the vast store of printed material, on which the 
future historian shall base his judgment of the men and events of the great 
Civil War in America. Few of the additions during 1899 are comparable 
for interest and value to General Rusling's Men and Things I Saw in Civil 
War Days. He had exceptional opportunities of observing our most distin- 
guished commanders. And naturally observant, a man of keen intelligence 
and good education, he made the most of his opportunities. The book is 
large and handsomely bound, and its war-time likenesses of Sherman and 
others are very interesting. — Sunday School Journal (N. Y .). 

"must thrill every reader." 
This large and impressive volume is among the most vivid and graphic 
descriptions of those days of light and darkness in the history of our coun- 
try which have come to our notice. We regard the author's old Army Let- 
ters as among the best features of the book. His social qualities and gentle- 
manly instincts gave him opportunities which few could surpass. General 
Rusling's book must thrill every reader. It is worthy of a wide sale, and the 
publishers have done their part in making it attractive. — Christian Advo- 
cate (N. Y.). 

"give it a place in your library." 

This book gives a vast amount of new, most valuable and entertaining 
information from the pen of one who was in living contact with the great 
men and times of which he writes. Give it a permanent place on your li- 
brary shelf. — Women's Home Missions. 

90 



General 3ames fowler IRusltng 



"full of pictures and side-lights on the war." 

This volume is made up of portraits and incidents, which serve to illu- 
mine the characters of the commanders in that struggle with whom Gen- 
eral Rusling came into contact, and the events in which he played a part or 
observed. It is full of pictures and side-lights on the war, which will vividly 
recall a momentous period and which have their historic value besides. — 
Evening Bulletin (Philadelphia, Pa.). 

"old soldiers highly prize." 

It is a book any old soldier would highly prize, and one from which the 
younger men can learn much regarding actual war. — The Bee (Omaha, Neb.). 

"great war book." 

A great war book. Grant and Lee compared. Abraham Lincoln's 
religious faith. Army life, army nurses, etc. All old soldiers, G. A. R. posts, 
Loyal Legions, public and private libraries, Sabbath and day schools, etc., 
should have a copy. — Philadelphia Methodist (Philadelphia, Pa.). 

European Days and Ways. By James F. Rusling, A.M., LL.D. Brig- 
adier-General (by Brevet) United States Volunteers. Author of "Across 
America," "Men and Things I Saw in Civil War Days," etc. 

Europe as it is, through American eyes. Travel, History, Art, People, 
Politics, Religion, Soldiers, etc., with keen comments on Men and Things. 
An American general's account of the Battle of Waterloo. 

Cloth. 420 pages. Heavy enameled paper. Gilt top. 70 illustrations, 
reproductions of snapshots taken en route. Full index. Jennings & Pye, 
Cincinnati, Chicago, Kansas City. Price, $1.50 net. Postage, 25 cents. 

Press Comments. 

"The author weaves into the narrative numerous bits of historical 
information, which add to the value and interest of the volume. Social 
customs, public buildings, cathedrals, railways, and types of character are 
all faithfully depicted." — The Times (Trenton, N. J.). 

"A well- written and instructive account of a European trip by the 
author and his family. This may sound commonplace, but the book is any- 
thing but that. Those who read it may feel assured they are traveling in 
extra good company — observant company that lets nothing pass unheeded." 
— Fine Arts Journal (Chicago, III.). 

"General Rusling has made to the literature of travel an extremely 
interesting and instructive contribution. He made an extended tour of 
Europe, and a careful study of its social, political, and industrial conditions, 
and tells it all in an extremely interesting strain. His style is pleasing, and 
he takes his reader into famous cities, and over historic ground, in a most 
companionable way." — State Gazette (Trenton, N. J.). 

"The points selected are of interest; the facts are well arranged; the 
illustrations are illuminative, and the typography an inducement to a close 
and pleasant reading of the book." — True American (Trenton, N. J.). 

9 1 



ftbe IRusItng family 



"This is a delightful book of sightseeing and life across the sea. The 
author's culture, professional fame, and exceptionally wide experience have 
qualified him in an unusual degree for the task of giving other people an 
opportunity of seeing Europe through his eyes and ears." — Western Chris- 
tian Advocate. 

"The author describes clearly, and without elaboration, just the things 
he saw. Naturally, his military experience opens his eyes to the defects and 
excellencies of military organization. He does not think much of French 
soldiers, and says Germany's could 'walk right over them,' and that 'they 
could not stand an hour against Sherman's 'bummers' or Roosevelt's 
'Rough Riders.' Altogether the book is the pleasant record of a happy 
journey taken by a man of experience, under most favorable circumstances." 
— The Christian Advocate (New York). 

"Contains the impressions of a traveller fitted by experience, intelli- 
gence and observation, and charm of style, to produce an interesting book. 
Not a pretentious volume, but General Rusling made this tour for its own 
sake, and then tells a plain tale of what he saw, and is pretty sure to evoke 
from the reader the pleased comment: 'Well, that is just what I should like 
to have seen ! ' That is the comment that will be widely made on Genera 
Rusling's book, and we are not sure that there could be any more truly 
complimentary." — New York Tribune. 

"The work of a master of eye-witness description. Few men have 
written who had a finer gift for making the reader see, as if with his own 
eyes, what the author sees. For those who plan to go to Europe this book is 
informing and preparatory; while for those who must stay at home it is an 
entertaining substitute for the journey. The most remarkable chapter is 
that on Waterloo. It is such an account of the battle there as only a soldier 
with full military knowledge could possibly write. Any one who reads it 
will understand Waterloo. Of making books of travel there is no end; but 
the contents of this one justify its existence." — Methodist Review (New York). 

MINOR MENTION. 

"This charming account.". "This book is rarely equaled." 

"A fine book for any library." "A sumptuous piece of book-making." 

"Written in a luminous style." "It is pleasing and profitable reading." 

"General Rusling has done his work well." 

"Well bound, well illustrated, well written." 

"Information in a pleasant and attractive style." 

"He has enthusiasm and intelligence in his sightseeing." 




ESCUTCHEON OF GENERAL RUSLING 



XI 



Sebgwtcfc IRusling 




EDGWICK RUSLING, fifth son of James 
and Mary Fowler Rusling, was born at 
Newburgh, near Hackettstown, New Jersey, 
April 24, 1799, and died at Lawrenceville, 
Penna., March 7, 1876. Like his brother 
Joseph, he became a Methodist minister. 
He was not without talent, but I think 
lacked Joseph's industry and perseverance. 
He was a great fisherman, and always popular with his people 
on that account — fished the streams far and near, and possessed 
the fine art of catching fish where others could get only nibbles. 
He was a man of kindly feeling and stainless character, and cer- 
tainly wrought much good in his day and generation. The fol- 
lowing appreciative estimate of him is from the Minutes of New 
Jersey Conference, 1877: 

Memoir of Sedgwick Rusling. 

The subject of this sketch was born in the beautiful Musconetcong 
Valley, near Hackettstown, Warren County, New Jersey, April 24th, 1799. 
Both father and mother were Methodists, and deeply devoted to God. 
His mother's knee was the first altar at which he bowed, and the impressions 
there received remained through life. He was' converted when eighteen 
years of age, but confessed with great sorrow that through the influence 
of irreligious companions he lost his first love, and fell back into the world. 
In this unhappy state he remained three years. Impressed with the cause 
which led to his fall, he said, "If I ever marry, I shall select a religious com- 
panion and a Methodist." He kept his resolution, and at a proper time 
Miss Electa W. Cummins, a devoted young Christian, became his wife. 
Three months after this he was restored to the divine favor, at a Camp 
Meeting near Jenny Jump Mountain, N. J., under a powerful sermon by 

93 



Gbe IRusItng family 



Lawrence McCombs. Immediately after his return to God, he began to 
exercise in public. He was soon licensed to exhort and nobly filled that 
important office. In 1826, while an exhorter, he was called to fill a vacancy 
on Mount Horeb Circuit. He went and had success. In November he was 
licensed to preach. He was received on trial, by the Philadelphia Annual 
Conference in 1827, and appointed to Cumberland Circuit (N. J.), where he 
remained two years. His subsequent fields of labor were at the following 
places in the order given : Salem, Gloucester, Hamburg, Warren and Newton 
Circuits; Warren Circuit, second term; New Providence and Union Village, 
Swedesboro' Circuit, Lower Penns Neck, Pemberton, Woodrow, and Bethel 
on Staten Island, and Crosswiclcs. In 1850, he became supernumerary, 
removing his family to Trenton, where he remained about two and a half 
years. A vacancy then occurred at Cranbury, and he filled the place until 
Conference, when he resumed the regular work. In 1853-4, he was stationed 
at Rahway, New Jersey. In 1855, he became supernumerary again, and 
removed to New Brunswick. In October of that year, there was a vacancy 
at Elizabeth, where he preached until the following spring. He remained 
in New Brunswick until the death of his wife in 1867. In 1873 he was re- 
married, to Mrs. Sarah J. Fuller, of Lawrenceville, Tioga County, Pennsyl- 
vania, where he spent the remainder of his days. 

He was in feeble health for some time, but the sickness which terminated 
in death continued only about twelve days. During his last week on earth, 
he had but little power of speech, yet his mind was clear, and he was glad, 
as far as able, to express his perfect reliance upon the blood of Jesus to save, 
and his readiness, at the Master's bidding, to depart and be "forever with 
the Lord." The Sabbath before his death, he received the Sacrament of 
the Lord's Supper, with evident satisfaction, while his countenance expressed 
the blessed fact, that Christianity could sustain and comfort its votaries 
even in the dying hour. 

His death, which took place at half past nine o'clock on Tuesday morn- 
ing, March 7th, 1876, was like the waves subsiding to the sweetest calm. 

He had lived 76 years, 10 months, and 13 days, and was the oldest 
member of the New Jersey Conference. 

Surrounded by many of his old compeers and fellow-laborers in 
the gospel, he was buried at Rahway, N. J., March 10th, 1876, mourned 
by his widow and seven children, loved by the church, and honored by 
the world. 

Sedgwick Rusling was not an ordinary man, nor was his ministry ordi- 
nary in its results. He had not the scholastic advantages of many of late 
years, but the very contest he had with difficulties made him stronger. He 
grappled with all obstacles, mastered them, and made life a success. He 
often exhibited extraordinary power in the pulpit, and wonderfully moved 
the masses. With a well trained and musical voice, 1 he was an effective 



1 Inherited from his mother, Mary Fowler Rusling. When preaching 
he would often burst into song, and sing several verses. His daughters, also, 
were all fine singers. 

94 



SefcGwtcfc iRueltng 



singer, while facts gathered from a large experience, added to a fine imagi- 
nation, caused his sermons to abound in incident and illustration, which, 
together with a heart gushing with sympathy for immortal souls, enabled 
him to lead the multitudes Heavenward. 

The themes of his discourses were solid gospel truths. These he pro- 
claimed in grand old Saxon, till earth heeded and hell trembled. 

He was pre-eminently a revivalist. With him the great object of the 
Christian Church and ministry was the conversion of souls. If this was not 
accomplished, all other success he regarded as comparative failure, and this 
end reached he felt there was, even in the midst of other failures, compara- 
tive success. He engaged in this work like a warrior, sure of victory. He 
commenced it as soon as converted, and continued in it until strength was 
gone. He had a revival at a meeting held in his father's house before he left 
home. After he entered the regular work, his zeal flamed like a consuming 
fire. 

In many of his appointments there were wonderful manifestations of 
divine power, and in all, more or less were brought to God, until he rejoiced 
over the conversion of more than three thousand souls. 

One of his great solicitudes during the later years of his life was, that 
the church might retain its hold upon the masses, and however cultured its 
ministry might become they should still possess the divine anointing, and 
address the people as with the tongue of fire. 

Through all his life, he was genial in manner, and kept his spirit sweet 
and cheerful, not only amid the triumphs of his great life work, but when 
afflictions came, and age pressed hard upon him. This made him an agree- 
able companion, and a general favorite. Those of his own age felt the in- 
spiration of his presence, while childhood and those beyond him in years 
hailed his coming with delight. 

Sedgwick Rusling and cheerfulness were almost synonyms. But he 
has gone from among us. We bless God for his blameless life, his protracted 
labors, and his grand success. May we meet him in the land of eternal 
sunshine, and renew the friendships which death for a time has broken, and 
be forever linked together in the sweet bonds of immortal love! 

The Family Record of Sedgwick Rusling is as follows: 

Sedgwick Rusling, b. April 24, 1799; d. March 7, 1876; m. Electa 
W. Cummins, March 22, 1821; m. Sarah J. Fuller, Dec. 5, 

1873- 
Electa W. Cummins Rusling, b. Nov. 21, 1802; d. Feb. 14, 1867. 
Sarah Jane Fuller Rusling, b. Oct. 23, 1822. 

Their Children. 
Matthias C, b. Nov. 28, 1824; d. Nov. 21, 1832. 
James, b. Aug. 23, 1826; d. Aug. 17, 1827. 
Mary S., b. Jan. 19, 1828. 
Rebecca V., b. Nov. 9, 1829. 
Joseph Fowler, b. Nov. 29, 1831; d. Oct. 3, 1896. 

95 



Gbe IRueltng family 



Hannah M., b. Oct. 12, 1833; d. June 30, 1899. 
George C, b. Sept. 24, 1835; d. Aug. 2, 1836. 
Sarah Ann, b. Sept. 24, 1839. 
Sedgwick C, b. April 21, 1842; d. Dec. 1, 1879. 
Thomas D. H., b. Aug. 9, 1846. 

Their Record. 

Hannah M., m. Charles W. Baldwin, Feb. 8, 1855. 
Mary S., m. James W. Woodruff, March 6, 1855. 
Rebecca V., m. Daniel K. Ryno, Nov. 8, 1855. 
Joseph F., m. Stella Orton, Dec. 23, 1857. 
Sarah A., m. William Ayres, Dec. 11, 1861. 
Sedgwick C, m. Martha Clendenin, May 4, 1864. 

His son Joseph Fowler was educated at Pennington Seminary, 
Pennington, New Jersey, and became a well-to-do merchant at 
New Brunswick, New Jersey, and afterwards United States con- 
tractor for forage, etc., at Lawrenceville, Penna., acquiring consid- 
erable property. His sister Mary married Col. James Woodruff, a 
Railroad Superintendent of Elizabeth, New Jersey, and his sister 
Rebecca a Mr. Ryno, an undertaker, of Rahway, New Jersey. 





XII 



Hilary ]EIi3abetb IRusIing 




ARY ELIZABETH RUSLING, second 
daughter of James and Mary Fowler 
Rusling, was born November 4, 1804, at 
Newburgh, near Hackettstown, New Jer- 
sey, and died October 3, 1876, at Tren- 
ton, New Jersey. She married John P. 
Sharp (son of William C. and Ann Sharp), 
who owned a fine farm on the Musconet- 
cong Creek, about a mile from Hackettstown, New Jersey. She 
was educated at Wilmington, Delaware, and was of a bright and 
lively disposition, and a devout Methodist. 

About 1850 her husband sold his farm, and removed to 
Trenton, where he rented different farms at or near there 
(Crosswicks, New Jersey ; Pennington, New Jersey ; Morrisville, 
Penna., etc.), and was a produce merchant the remainder of 
his life. He was a good husband and father, and a devout 
Christian, and respected and beloved by all who knew him. 
My aunt had fine musical talent, and transmitted it to her chil- 
dren, and her house was the home of Thomas V. Fowler (pages 
25, 36, etc.), at different intervals for many years. She was his 
favorite American relative, I think, after her brother, the Rev. 
Joseph Rusling. 

The Family Record of Mary E. Rusling is as follows: 

Mary Elizabeth Rusling, b. Nov. 4, 1804; d. Oct. 3, 1876; m. 

John P. Sharp, Nov. 8, 1821, at Newburgh, New Jersey. 
John P. Sharp, b. July 4, 1798; d. May 25, 1880. 



[7] 



97 



Gbe TRusltng yamtty 



Their Children. 
A daughter, still-born, Nov. 12, 1822. 

William James Rusling, b. Oct. 16, 1823; d. July 29, 1828. 
Mary Ann, b. April 8, 1826; d. Feb. n, 1906. 
Hannah Adeline, b. June 12, 1829; d. Sept. 20, 1833. 
Joseph Rusling, b. Aug. 1, 1834. 
Sedgwick Fowler, b. July 19, 1838. 
Sarah Jane, b. Feb. 26, 1840; d. Nov. 1, 1870. 
Ellen Rebecca, b. April 7, 1842; d. Feb. 3, 1877. 

Their Record. 

Joseph R. m. Emma Lukens. 
Sedgwick F. m. Hettie Skillman. 
Sarah J. m. John Bodine, Feb. 25, 1863. 

The "Sharp" family name was originally " Scharpenstein, " 
but was abbreviated into Sharp about a century ago. Recently I 
have found the following: 

"Johannes Peter Scharpenstein bought land in German Valley, Dec. 8, 
1749, 210 acres, £100 ($266). Probably a brother of Matthias S. of Potters- 
town. He died intestate 1760. Left 7 children — Morris, Mary, Catharine, 
John Peter, etc., whose descendants are all those of the name of Sharp now 
living there." — Chambers' Early Settlers of New Jersey, p. 147. 






XIII 

TRobert IRusltng 

OBERT RUSLING, sixth son of James 
Rusling (his first by Hannah Rose), was 
born at Newburgh, Warren County, New 
Jersey (about two and one-half miles south- 
west of Hackettstown), January i, 1812. 
He was a clerk in my father's general store 
at Washington, New Jersey, for some time, 
but ultimately became a merchant tailor, 
and settled in that business at Hackettstown, New Jersey, and 
lived and died there. He had an aptitude for public affairs, 
and identified himself with everything of that nature in and 
about Hackettstown. In 1850 he was elected a Justice of the 
Peace there, and was reelected for several terms. In 1853 he 
was instrumental in procuring the charter for a bank at Hack- 
ettstown, and was long one of its directors. In 1853 he was also 
appointed one of the commissioners to establish public water- 
works there. In 1855 he was active in securing the charter of 
Hackettstown as a borough, and became its mayor for three terms 
in succession. He was influential in securing the extension of the 
Morris and Essex Railroad from Dover to Hackettstown, and so 
through to Easton. He was nominated for the Assembly in 1857, 
but defeated by five votes. He ran again in 1858, and was de- 
feated by seven votes. He ran again in 1859 (pretty plucky!), 
and was elected, and again in i860 and 1861, though a Whig and 
Republican in a strong Democratic county. In 1862 he was ap- 
pointed United States Internal Revenue Assessor for the Third 
District New Jersey and continued until the office was abolished 



99 



Zbe IRusling family 



in 1873. He organized the Union Cemetery Company of Hacketts- 
town, and was its president many years. He was one of the charter 
members of Musconetcong Lodge No. 81, I. O. of O. F., and also 
one of the founders of Independence Lodge No. 52, A. F. and A. M., 
and in 1874 was elected Grand Master of the Masonic fraternity 
for New Jersey. In 1874 he was appointed judge of the Court of 
Common Pleas for Warren County, and filled the office with marked 
ability and dignity. 

Robert Rusling was an ardent friend of education and for 
twenty-five years in succession was elected school-trustee at 
Hackettstown. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of the 
Presbyterian church at Hackettstown and chairman of the building 
committee, when the present edifice was erected there, and though 
not a member of said church then, he became a member before he 
died. He was also a fine singer, and choir-master of said church for 
many years. He was well and favorably known, not only in War- 
ren County, but throughout New Jersey, and everywhere respected 
and esteemed as an upright man and a public-spirited citizen. 

George M. Rusling, son of Robert, became a civil engineer 
and railroad contractor, and was a man of a good deal of ability 
and means. He lived at Hackettstown and had an office in New 
York. James, his brother, was a lumber merchant at Hacketts- 
town, but in 1898 was appointed United States Postmaster there, 
as was his brother Robert before him in 1877 and again in 188 1. 
Joseph, another brother, was Chief Engineer and Superintendent 
of the New York and Susquehanna Railroad and is now in busi- 
ness in New York for himself as contracting engineer, 26 Cortlandt 
Street. He lives at Paterson, New Jersey, and is a man of ability 
and means. He had two sons in Princeton University in 1899 
and they are now in business with him in New York. Their names 
are George M. and Van Dyck Rusling. 

The Family Record of Robert Rusling is as follows: 

Robert Rusling, b. Jan. 1, 1812; d. Aug. 5, 1879; m. Mary 

McCracken, Nov. 7, 1838. 
Mary McCracken Rusling, b. Nov. 13, 1818; d. Nov. 14, 1907. 

Their Children. 
George McCracken Rusling, b. Oct. 31, 1839; d. Feb. 26, 1901; 
m. Electa Clark, Aug. 29, 1859; b. 1840, d. March 14, 1863; 
m. Mary E. Lampkins, Oct. 4, 1865; she d. May 8, 1902. 



IRobett IRuslino 



Frances Catharine Rusling, b. Feb. 22, 1842; m. Caleb H. 

Valentine, 1862; he d. . 

James Jacob Rusling, b. July 30, 1843; d. April 2, 1899. 

Helen Hannah Rusling, b. Sept. 25, 1845; m - c - p - Uhle, 

Sept. 6, 1866; he d. July 26, 1878; m. W. H. Vail, Jan. 12, 

1890. 
Joseph Loder Rusling, b. Sept. 25, 1847; m - Sarah Van Dyck, 

Oct. 9, 1872; she d. July 11, 1900; m. Clara Van Dyck, 

June 26, 1904. 1 
Robert Rusling, b. Feb. 14, 1850; d. March 7, 1890. 
Elizabeth Rusling, b. June 2, 1853. 
Mary Alice Rusling, b. Nov. 6, i860. 



1 Widow and sister-in-law of first wife. 





XIV 



Jobn IRusling 




OHN RUSLING, another half-uncle of mine, 
seventh son of James Rusling (his second by 
Hannah Rose), was bred a merchant and 
tailor. He continued in one or the other of 
these occupations for some years, at Blairs- 
town and also at Hope, Warren County, 
New Jersey. This was along about 1850, I 
think. In 1863 he was made Deputy As- 
sessor United States Internal Revenue, under his brother Robert, 
and held that office acceptably for about ten years. In 1873 he 
was appointed United States Postmaster at Belvidere, New Jer- 
sey, and continued until 1881. Then he removed to Hainesburg, 
Warren County, New Jersey, and engaged in mercantile pursuits, 
and died there in 1896. He was a tall, dignified man, of correct 
life and morals, though not a church member, I think, but re- 
spected and beloved by all who knew him. 

His son, Robert H. Rusling, now lives at Blairstown, Warren 
County, New Jersey, has a hardware and tinsmith store there, 
and is a leading citizen of the town. 

Another son, John A., lives in Bridgeport, Conn.; is a mer- 
chant tailor and a man of good standing and much property there. 
A daughter, Harriet E. Cornell, lives at Stillwater, Sussex 
County, New Jersey, and is a bright and intelligent woman. 

The Family Record of John Rusling is as follows: 

John Rusling, b. March 6, 1813; d. Jan. 16, 1896; m. Margaret 

Bennett, Aug. 24, 1834. 
Margaret Bennett Rusling, b. Sept. 9, 1812; d. Aug. 16, 1893. 



3obn IRuelina 



Their Children. 

Mary Emma, b. Aug. 27, 1835; m. Mark Q. Cook, Greenville, N. J., 
Aug. 15, 1853. 

Robert H., b. Nov. 18, 1836; m. Sarah J. Stackhouse, Green- 
ville, N. J., Feb. 13, 1861; b. July 10, 1836. 

Anna Adelaide, b. May 31, 1838. 

Theodore, b. Jan. 8, 1842. 

Edward F., b. July 19, 1844; m. Margaret Angle, Hainesburg, 
N. J., Jan. 8, 1868. 

Anna Elizabeth, b. June 17, 1847. 

John Alvah, b. Dec. 21, 1848; m. Mary S. Lane, Easton, Pa., 
Sept. 14, 187 1. 

Harriet E., b. July 8, 1851; m. Albert D. Cornell, May 18, 
1882, Jeffersonville, Vermont, but now living at Stillwater, 
New Jersey. 

Their Children. 

Of Mary Emma Cook: 

John H., b. Nov. 3, 1855; Adelaide Rusling, b. Sept. 25, 
i860; and Frank Edward, b. April 2, 1867. 
Of Robert H. Rusling: 

Fanny A., b. Feb. 24, 1866; Arabella, b. March 28, 1867; 
and Arthur H., b. Nov. 22, 187 1. 
Of Edward F. Rusling: 

Mary, b. July 7, 1869; and Blair, b. Oct. 31, 1873. 
Of John A. Rusling: 

Elleroy, b. Nov. 22, 1872; d. May 24, 1875. 

Margaret, b. Feb. 11, 1876; m. Lyman P. Hammond. 

John A., Jr., b. Nov. 17, 1885. 
Of Harriet E. Cornell: 

J. Rusling, b. Aug. 18, 1883; Stephen, b. Sept. 29, 1885; 
and Albert D., b. Feb. 27, 1887. 




XV 



flllerc^ IRuslino 




ERCY RUSLING, third daughter of James 
Rusling (first by Hannah Rose), was born 
at or near Newburgh, Warren County, 
New Jersey, and died at or near Albion, 
Michigan. She married Samuel G. Encke 
at my father's house, Washington, New 
Jersey. When my mother died (1838), 
Aunt Mercy came to live with us, as my 
father's housekeeper, and Mr. Encke courted her while there, 
and I remember their courtship and wedding very well. She was 
very kind and affectionate to all of us motherless children, and 
we all regretted her marriage and departure, but she married a 
very worthy man. He was then a country merchant, at Rich- 
mond, Northampton County, Penna., but soon afterwards he 
bought a farm at or near there and they lived there many years. 
But about the year 1863 they removed to Michigan, and bought 
a farm at or near Albion. I never saw her after they went West. 

The Family Record of Mercy Rusling is as follows: 

Mercy Rusling, b. Oct. 11, 1814; d. June 15, 1892; m. Samuel 

G. Encke, March 7, 1839. 
Samuel G. Encke, b. March 6, 1813; d. Feb. 4, 1906, near Albion, 

Mich. 

He was the son of Joseph W. and Margaret Jones Encke; 
said Joseph W. was the seventh child of Peter and Zibiah W., 
and Peter was the son of John and Maria Philippine, who emi- 
grated from Bingen on the Rhine, Germany, about 1760. Joseph 
R. Encke (Trenton, New Jersey) claims the Enckes can be traced 



104 



flllerc^ IRusltng 



back about four hundred years, and that the name " signifies ' A 
cutting or slip for transplanting, ' and in ancient heraldry means 
'The chief of the Cavaliers'." 

Their Children as Follows. 

Joseph Rusling, b. Feb. 6, 1840. 

James Fowler, b. Feb. 11, 1842; d. Feb. 20, 1889. 

Lewis Cass, b. Nov. 6, 1848. 

Joseph Rusling m. Sarah A. Davis, Dec. 25, 1865, dau. William 
Davis, Pennington, New Jersey. Their children: Joseph Davis, 
Florence LaMira, Mabel Mercy, and Sarah Lillian. 

Joseph Rusling Encke lives in Trenton, New Jersey, and is 
engaged in the real estate and insurance business. He was form- 
erly a public-school teacher, and markedly successful. He was 
elected Superintendent of Public Schools, Trenton, New Jersey, 
18 79-188 1, and served with credit, also City Treasurer 1 881-1884. 
But soon afterwards he engaged in the real estate and insurance 
business as aforesaid. His brother, Lewis C, is a graduate of Al- 
bion College, Albion, Michigan, but lived with his father on his 
farm some three or four miles from Albion until his father's de- 
cease, and still continues to reside there. 





XVI 



Jacob IRusling 




ACOB RUSLING, the eighth son of James 
Rusling (his third by Hannah Rose), was 
born November 17, 18 15, and died August 
— ,1826. He was buried at Washington, 
New Jersey, in the Methodist Episcopal 
graveyard there, near the old Methodist 
church, by the side of his father. But in 
1892 the ground there was needed for a 
new parsonage, and brother Henry and I removed his remains 
and gravestone, with grandfather's and grandmother's (Hannah 
Rose), to Asbury, New Jersey, and they are all buried there now 
in the old Methodist Episcopal graveyard, in the "Rusling Plot." 
The trustees of the Asbury church authorized father to enclose this 
in his lifetime, and since his decease they have given Henry and me 
permission to enclose more ground, and now we have a large 
Family Plot there. However, since then, I have bought a plot in 
Riverview Cemetery, Trenton, New Jersey, 1 and erected a Family 
Tomb there, and expect to rest there when "life's fitful fever is 
over." My family prefer this, as they are likely to continue here. 



[ My brother, William Henry, the same. (See p. 77.) 



XVII 



©tber IRusKngs 




N page i, I have said that there is another 
branch of Ruslings in Michigan, none of 
whom I have ever seen, though we have 
exchanged letters. In 1885 or 1886 I ad- 
dressed a letter to the United States Con- 
sul at Hull, England, asking him to exam- 
ine the City Directory there, and send me 
the names and addresses of any Ruslings 
he could find in it. He sent me that of 
Thomas Collingwood Rusling, No. 3 Botanic Terrace, Staniforth 
Place, Hessle Road, Hull, and said he had two brothers living, to 
wit: George Rusling, farmer, Woodsets near Worksop, England, 
and William Rusling, Schoolcraft, near White Pigeon, Kalamazoo 
County, Michigan, U. S. A. Thereupon I wrote said Thomas C. Rus- 
ling, and he replied November 19, 1893, that his parents were 
Thomas and Phebe Rusling, of Burringham Ferry, near Doncaster, 
Lincolnshire, but both deceased; that some ninety years before 
(or about 1800) his grandfather was a verger at Lincoln Minster; 
and that he himself was born May 12, 1803, at said village of Bur- 
ringham. He said he had heard his parents say, that a long time 
ago some of their relatives had gone to America, but he knew 
nothing of them and had never seen an)'' of them back in England. 
He said he was in the service of the North Eastern Railway Com- 
pany at Hull, and had been for thirty-three years, but in early life 
was a seafaring man. He said he had a brother William, two- 
and-a-half years younger, living at Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo County, 
Michigan, U. S. A., and two grandchildren in New York and "Lots 



107 



Zbc IRuelina Family 



of nephews and nieces in different parts of the States," but 
gave the name of only one, to wit, Theodore Ludwig, 90 Meeker 
Avenue, New York. 

In a subsequent letter he said he had been over to his "native 
village," making inquiries about the Ruslings and Fowlers, but 
he could find nothing of value. He went to the Parish Church 
to examine the Registers, but unfortunately the clerk was "from 
home. " He added another item, that he had formerly had an " old 
aunt named Elizabeth Fowler, that lived in our village," but she 
had been at rest many years. He also wrote that he had a son 
"Thomas Collingwood Rusling," who was then absent in India, 
as travelling auditor for some railroad there, and he would have 
him write me also. 

In another letter, September 21, 1895, he wrote that his brother 
William in Michigan seldom wrote, but that he had a granddaugh- 
ter with two children from Chicago, Illinois, there in England on 
a visit, and that they expected to sail from Southampton for home 
September 25th. 

In 1S95 I wrote this "William Rusling" aforesaid, and he 
replied October 27, 1895, that he lived at the address above given, 
and was from Lincolnshire, England; that his grandfather was 
George Rusling, and died at Burringham, England, about 181 2; 
that he had three sons, — Thomas, his father (died at Burringham 
about 1833), George, and John, also both deceased; that George 
and John were also "Methodist ministers" ("local," I judge), and 
George "was found dead kneeling by the side of his bed," — a very 
old man; that his father's family consisted of " five boys and two 
girls"; that he had two brothers living, Thomas at Hull, and 
George at Burringham — " a cripple, having lost one of his feet " ; and 
that he had two sisters still living, Jane Harrison and Elizabeth 
Backus, both still at Burringham. He then added that he had two 
sons and five daughters of his own — one son and three daughters 
in Michigan, one son and one daughter in Iowa, and one daughter 
in Oregon, but omitted to give their names and residences. I have 
never heard from him since, nor seen any of his people. 

In 1897 I received a letter from another "Thomas Colling- 
wood Rusling," who said he was the son of the first above men- 
tioned; that his father had died December 20, 1896; that he him- 
self had recently returned from India, where he had been serving 

108 



©tber IRuelinga 



as railway auditor, and that he was then in the employ of the 
North Eastern Railway Company at Hull, England. He sent 
me a testimonial he had received from John Partington, chief 
clerk, audit office, Euston Station, London and North Eastern 
Railway, October i, 1893, which commended him highly. 

In 1893 a Mrs. Fillah S. Keinig wrote my cousin William Rus- 
ling of Philadelphia, from New York, that she was the grand- 
daughter of said Thomas C. Rusling (1), and his wife's name was 
Elizabeth (then deceased), and sent her photograph to him and 
claimed relationship. She gave her address as 180 East One 
Hundred and Ninth Street, New York. Cousin William sent me 
her letter, and I took the trouble of going over to New York and 
inquiring for her, but could not find her. 

I conjecture all of the above Ruslings are of our clan, too; 
but I have never seen any of them, nor met any person of our name 
in America that was not descended from James Rusling and 
Mary Fowler, my grandparents, herein first above mentioned. 





XVIII 

1benr\> Ifoan Vinson 




ENRY HANKINSON, my maternal grand- 
father, was the fifth son of Aaron and Mary 
Hankinson, of Stillwater, Sussex County, 
New Jersey. He was born there August 27, 
1767, and died at Easton, Penna., May 5, 
1848. His photograph, taken about 1850 
by my order, from an oil painting of him 
belonging to his daughter (Mrs. Keturah 
M. Sloan), is still in my possession, and shows him to have 
been a dignified and handsome old gentleman of the old school 
of lawyers. I remember grandfather Hankinson very well. He 
lived at my father's house, Washington, New Jersey, when I was 
a child, for many years, and was then all kindness and affec- 
tion, and the soul of courtesy. He had been an elder in the 
Presbyterian Church (Old Mansfield, near Washington, New 
Jersey), but afterwards followed my mother into the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and died in that faith. His father dying while 
he was young, he was educated by an Aunt Hannah, whom he 
always spoke of "as a mother to me." This was (probably) 
Hannah Atkinson, 1 wife of Joseph Hankinson, Jr., at Rowland's 
Mills, near Flemington, New Jersey, whose marriage license, April 
3, 1770, is recorded in office of Secretary of State, Trenton, New 
Jersey. He read law with Nathaniel Saxton, Esq., a noted lawyer 
of his day at Flemington, New Jersey, and was admitted to practice 
in the Supreme Court, New Jersey, at the November Term, 1794, 
as appears by the records of said Court. He settled at Washington, 



1 Born June 20, 1748; died Feb. 7, 1833 (see p. 118). 

no 




HENRY HANKINSON 

1767-1848 
From an oil painting. 



IHenr^ IHanfetnson 



New Jersey, and had a lucrative practice there for many years, 
and built the best house there in those days (still standing, and 
a good brick house still). He was a good lawyer, an able advocate, 
a wise counsellor, an affectionate father, and valued citizen. He 
was one of the charter members of Mansfield Lodge, No. 31, An- 
cient Free and Accepted Masons, November 17, 18 14, and Senior 
Warden of said Lodge and its representative to the Grand Lodge, 
New Jersey, 18 15. He acquired valuable property at Washington 
and Belvidere, New Jersey, and in his old age conveyed his Wash- 
ington property to his two daughters, Keturah M. Sloan and 
Eliza Budd Rusling, equally, and their heirs. He conveyed this 
to William McCullough, his father-in-law, in trust for his (H.'s) 
said two children and their heirs, and he (McCullough) afterwards 
reconveyed it to his (H.'s) said two children, and acts of the Legis- 
lature were afterwards passed, enabling them to sell and convey 
it to others in fee. Said conveyances are on record in the County 
Clerk's office at Belvidere, New Jersey, and said acts appear in 
New Jersey Statutes, 1831-1834. He (H. H.) was member of the 
Assembly of New Jersey, 1806, 1807, 1808 from Sussex County, 
and 1835 from Warren County (set off from Sussex in 1824). He 
was Major and Inspector of Sussex Brigade New Jersey Militia, 
October 26, 1809, and was always addressed as "Major Hankin- 
son" when I knew him. He was a man of education, ability, 
and high personal character, and his grandchildren have always 
been proud of him as an ancestor. Many of his old law books fell 
into my possession in early life, and it was the reading and brows- 
ing among them that first determined me to become a lawyer 
myself. Hence, indirectly he did more to shape my life and ca- 
reer than any other human being. In my boyhood days at 
Washington we often took long walks together, and he was al- 
ways advising and encouraging me to become a lawyer. 

The Family Record of Henry Hankinson is as follows: 

Henry Hankinson, b. Aug. 27, 1767; d. May 5, 1848; l m. Mary 
McCullough, Aug. 14, 1800, by Rev. Wm. B. Sloan. 

Mary McCullough Hankinson, b. July 17, 1782, Asbury, N. J.; 
d. Oct. 6, 1805. 2 



1 Interred, Asbury, New Jersey. 

2 Interred Easton, Penna., in Presbyterian graveyard. 



£be IRusltng family 



Their Children. 
Keturah M., b. July 28, 1801; d. Oct. 5, 1853, Eastern, Pa.; m. 

Dr. John P. B. Sloan, Dec. 9, 1823. l He b. May 26, 1799; 

d. Feb. 10, 1849, Easton, Pa. 1 
Eliza Budd, b. April 13, 1803; d. Dec. 3, 1838; 2 m. Gershom 

Rusling, March, 1825. 
Anna Maria, b. Oct. 25, 1804; d. Nov. 7, 1804. 2 

Children of Keturah M. 

Elizabeth, b. ; d. . 

Isabella, b. ; d. ; m. . 

John P. B., b. June 16, 1826; d. Jan. 6, 1831. 2 
William, b. ; d. ; m. . 

Dr. John P. B. Sloan aforesaid was named after John Pater- 
son Bryan Maxwell, a leading lawyer and member of Congress 
several terms, Flemington, New Jersey. He was an able physician 
at Easton, Penna., many years, and the son of Rev. Wm. B. Sloan, 
a Presbyterian minister of note in his day, graduate of Princeton 
College, and pastor of Mansfield and Greenwich churches, Warren 
County, many years. Born 1722; died 1839. (Snell's Hist. 
Warren Co., N. J., p. 569.) 

Children of Eliza B. 
(See Gershom Rusling, pp. 69-76.) 
Henry Hankinson's said two daughters, Keturah M. and 
Eliza B., were both brought up at Asbury, New Jersey, by their 
grandfather, Col. Wm. McCullough, their mother dying in their 
infancy (one four and the other two years old only), and their 
father never remarrying. Hence they always spoke of Asbury as 
their home, and were both married from their grandfather's house 
there. They were educated at Morristown, New Jersey, at a noted 
Female Institute then there, and were both refined and accom- 
plished persons. I was but four years old when Eliza B. (my 
mother) died; but I remember her well as a bright and intelli- 
gent lady, of a devout and affectionate frame of mind and char- 
acter, and her memory has always been with me, and done much 
to shape and mould my own life and character. Often have I 
talked and prayed to her, as my invisible Madonna, and who shall 
say she has not been a veritable Madonna to me all these years? 



1 Interred, Easton, Penna., in Presbyterian graveyard. 

2 Interred, Asbury, New Jersey. 



XIX 

Haron Ifoanfunson 




ARON HANKINSON, father of Henry 
Hankinson and my great-grandfather, was 
the second son of Joseph and Rachel Mat- 
tison Hankinson. He was born February 7, 
1735, near Rowland's Mills, Hunterdon 
County, New Jersey, and died October 9, 
1806, near Stillwater, Stillwater Township, 
Sussex County, N. J. His marriage license, 
dated February 9, 1764, is recorded, in the office of Secretary of 
State, Trenton, N. J., and gives him as of Amwell Township, 
Hunterdon County, to Mary Snyder, of Kingwood Township, same 
county. He lived on a fine farm there, still known as the "Hank- 
inson Homestead," though no longer in the Hankinson family; but 
in 1764 or 1765 he removed to Sussex County and lies buried in the 
"Yellow Frame Cemetery" of the Presbyterian church, near Still- 
water, Sussex County, N. J., of which church he and his family were 
members and himself long an elder. This church was formerly 
called the "Old Hardwick" — after the township there formerly — 
and is about seven miles southwest of Newton, the county seat of 
Sussex County. It was begun 1784 and finished 1786. It is now 
dilapidated and neglected, and no longer in use, but a new edifice 
was erected in 1887 directly opposite across the road there. 1 



1 The old church taken down and removed in 1904. It was originally 
called the "Upper Hardwick" to distinguish it from the "Lower Hardwick," 
which was the name of a church at Hackettstown. When Warren was set 
off from Sussex (1824), the division line ran through this church, so that 
the pulpit was in Sussex and the pews in Warren — the pastor standing in 
Sussex and preaching to a congregation in Warren! 

[8] 113 



Gbe IRusltna yamtty 



He early took position in Stillwater (then Hardwick) Town- 
ship, for in 1774 he was Surveyor of Highways there, and in 
1775 Assessor. 1 When the Revolution came, he was commis- 
sioned Captain of Upper Hardwick Company, Sussex (N. J.) 
Militia (Col. Ephraim Martin commanding), July 26, 1775; Second 
Major Second Regiment Sussex (N. J.) Militia, July 26, 1775; 
Colonel Second Regiment Sussex (N. J.) Militia, February 28, 
1777; and continued as such until the close of the Revolu- 
tionary War. His military service was as follows: In 1776 he 
was Colonel of a Provisional Regiment of Detached Militia, at 
Amboy, New Jersey; in 1777 he was on frontier service 
against Tories and Indians at Minisink on the Upper Dela- 
ware; on September 11, 1777, at battle of Brandy wine, Dela- 
ware, under General Washington; on October 11, 1777, with 
his regiment, as a part of Gen. David Forman's Brigade New 
Jersey Detached Militia, he was at the battle of Germantown, 
Penna., under General Washington; on June 28, 1778, he was 
likely at the battle of Monmouth, New Jersey, but this is not 
certain; the remainder of the war, he was on duty in Sussex 
and Bergen, against Indians and Tories, particularly at Minisink. 
After the Revolution, June 5, 1793, he was promoted Brigadier 
General of the Sussex Brigade, and continued such until March 
10, 1798, when he resigned, probably because of advancing age. 
Evidently he stood well in Sussex, or he could not have attained 
such rank and distinction. 

As corroborative of the above, the "Sussex Centenary," 1853, 
says: "Among the officers who commanded in Sussex (during 
the Revolution), and who by their efficiency protected our State 
so well that the savages confined their atrocities almost exclusively 
to New York and Pennsylvania, was Aaron Hankinson, etc." 
(Edsall Address, p. 65.) 

Also the following: "It is cheering to recall such names as 
Aaron Hankinson and others, who were ready to carry their noble 
resolves to the battle-field, and there assert them at the peril of 
their lives (against both Indians and Tories), at the bidding of 
Providence as it came from the lips of Washington." (Tuttle 
Address, p. 91.) 



1 Also Judge of Election, January 31, 1791. 

114 




GENERAL AARON HAXKINSON 
I73S-l8o6 

From a water-color miniature. 



Haron THanfetnson 



Of like import is the following old letter, which appeared in 
the Wantage Recorder, Sussex, Sussex County, New Jersey, Janu- 
ary 1 8, 1907, and is unquestionably authentic: 

Tories expected to attack Sussex Courthouse. 

Shappanack, N. J., April ye 6th, 1777 * 

S'r, By an Express arrived here this day from Coll'l Aaron Hankinson 
of a Combination of Tories in this County, we are in imnent Danger of Both 
Life and Liberty, the people here are some of them Complaning with fear, 
and therefore Desire the favour of you to Take into y'r immediate Considera- 
tion and Collect as Large Body of ye Malitia and march them forthwith to 
Sussex Courthouse with all possible Speed; we have here now Ready to 
march a party of Coll'l Strowd's Batallion & more to-morrow who will meet 
you at S'd Courthouse. Pray S'r Delay no Time as the Case is Dangerous, 
which is the request of all True Sons of Liberty here. And y'r Unfeigned 
friends etc. Isaac Van Campen, Peter Van Neste, Samuel Westbrook. 

P. S. It is Expected that the Tories will attack the People at the Court- 
house on Monday, ye 7th Inst, as is Related in Coll'l Hankinson's Express. 

To Major Johannis Decker. 

Gen. Hankinson was a Member of Assembly New Jersey, 1782 
to 1786, and then again 1788 to 1792 continuously, from Sussex 
County. He was an inn-keeper, as well as farmer, as were nearly 
all of the members of assembly, sheriffs, justices, etc., of that day. 
Inn-keeping was then a stepping-stone to public office and pre- 
ferment, as well as profit, and many Revolutionary officers were 
or became inn-keepers, as Generals Wayne, Morgan, and others. 
He lived at or near Stillwater, but also owned land in Sandiston 
Township. When he removed from Hunterdon County to Sussex 
(about 1764-5), his father, Joseph Hankinson (evidently a man of 
considerable means), gave him and his brother William farms 
there of 363 acres each. (See Will of said Joseph Hankinson, July 
27, 1783, in office of Secretary of State, Trenton, New Jersey, where 
the gifts of these farms is mentioned.) Aaron's farm was just 
north of Stillwater and is now known as the " Rosenkrans Farm. " 
William's was farther on, near Middleville, and is now known 
as "Butler's Mill." 

Gen. Hankinson's grave is on the southeasterly side of the old 
"Yellow Frame Church" aforesaid, and quite near to it, in the 



1 "Shappanack',' is in Sandiston Township, Sussex County, New Jersey, 
near the Delaware River. 

"5 



ftbe IRuslinG family 



midst of a group of Hankinson graves. The inscription on his 

tombstone is as follows: 

A. H. 

In Memory of 

B. General 

Aaron Hankinson, 

who departed this life 

Oct. IX, 1806, 

Aged 71 years, 8 months, 2 days. 

Let all his children in a word 
Unite and praise the Eternal God, 
For the sweet hope that he has gone 
To rest with Christ, God's only Son. 

Evidently he was a God-fearing man, of soldierly instincts 
and tastes, a typical Jerseyman of his age and time, a good citizen, 
and a man of parts and substance. Water-color portraits of him- 
self and wife are now in my possession, given to me by my father 
in his lifetime, and received by him from said Henry Hankinson. 

In said "Yellow Frame Cemetery" adjoining the gravestone 
of Gen. Aaron Hankinson, are nine other Hankinson gravestones, 
with inscriptions as follows: 

Mary, wife of Aaron, died May 3, 1796, aged 48 years, 4 months, 

6 days. 1 

William, brother of Aaron, died April 26, 1796, aged 59 years. 
Susannah, wife of William, died May 12, 1798, aged 63 years. 
Samuel, son of Aaron, died April 21, 1793, aged 15 months and 
22 days. 

Thomas, son of Aaron, died April 27, 1796, aged 20 years, 5 months, 

7 days. 

John, son of Aaron, died Aug. 3, 1845, aged 73 years, 7 months, 8 days. 

Elizabeth, wife of John, died Nov. 2, 1841, aged 71 years, 8 months, 
21 days. 

Sally A., daughter of John, died July 18, 181 1, aged 2 years, 11 months, 
7 days. 

Aaron, son of John, died Dec. 18, 1814, aged 18 years, 9 months, o days. 

Evidently the first is his wife, and the rest his brothers, 
sons, etc. 

The oldest Family Record of the Hankinsons, that I have 
been able to find, is contained in an old family Bible, in the pos- 



1 If this be his wife, she could have been only seventeen years old, when 
married, 1764. 

116 




MARY SNYDER HANKIXSON 

1747-1796 
From a water-color miniature. 



> 



Baton IRanftinson 



session of Joseph Hankinson, formerly of Rowland's Mills, Hunter- 
don County, New Jersey, but afterwards of 127 Bergen Street, 
Newark, New Jersey (he died there October 25, 1905, but was 
interred at Rowland's Mills). It is as follows, and doubtless is 
genuine and correct: 

Joseph Hankinson, b. March 27, 1712. 1 
Rachel Mattison, his wife, b. Nov. 2, 1707. 1 

Their Children. 

Thomas, b. Dec. 8, 1733. 
Aaron, b. Feb. 7, 1735. 
William, b. Oct. 2, 1737. 
Ann, b. Jan. 1, 1738. 2 
John, b. Dec. 7, 1743. 
Joseph, b. April 5, 1745 3 
Elizabeth, b. Nov. 27, 1748. 

Said John and Joseph Hankinson both lived at or near Flem- 
ington, New Jersey, in 1807, as appears by a letter to them from 
Henry Hankinson, my grandfather, now in my possession, sent 
me by the wife of said Joseph Hankinson (first above mentioned) 
in 1882. This Joseph Hankinson (last above mentioned) was also 
a Revolutionary soldier (Hunterdon Militia, 1776), and after- 
wards Member of Assembly New Jersey (1798-9, 1806-7-8-9), 
and died at or near Rowland's Mills, Readington Township, Hun- 
terdon County, New Jersey, November 30, 1825, aged eighty-one 
years. " His descendants still live on the old Homestead Farm, 4 
in the southwest part of said Township." (Snell's Hist. Hunter- 
don Co., 1881, p. 503, in N. J. State Library.) "The deceased 
(Joseph Hankinson) was out with the Militia during the Revolu- 
tionary War, and afterwards enjoyed for many years the confi- 
dence of his fellow-citizens, as a member of the Legislature of his 
native State. He was a firm Republican and an honest man." 
(Hunterdon Gazette, December 15, 1825.) A portrait of him in wax 
(very curious) was lately in the possession of said Newark Joseph 
Hankinson (dec'd), who it is claimed was his grandson. 



1 Interred Vorris graveyard, near Rowland's Mills, New Jersey. 

2 Probably 1739. 

3 Died November 30, 1825, "at his residence, Readington Township, 
New Jersey." — Hunterdon, N. J., Gazette, December 15, 1825. 

4 Since sold, and they removed to Newark, New Jersey, and now deceased. 

117 



Gbe IRusltna jfamtty 



Said Mrs. Joseph Hankinson, of Newark, New Jersey, also 
gave me the following further facts, but I am unable to place them 
satisfactorily: " Rachel, wife of Joseph Hankinson (i), died March 
28, 1784; 1 Hannah, wife of Joseph Hankinson (2), b. June 20, 
1748; d. Feb. 7, 1833; J ose ph> son °f sa id Joseph and Hannah 
Hankinson, b. Nov. 2, 1778; d. Sept. 3, 1783; Nancy, daughter 
of Joseph and Hannah Hankinson, b. Nov. 3, 1770; Thomas, b. 
April 14, 1773; Catharine, b. Sept. 20, 1794; d. Aug. 28, 1833; 
Jemima Atkinson, b. Jan. 28, 1797; Joseph, b. Sept. 2, 1798; 
Asher, b. July 1, 1803; d. May 4, 1867; John S., son of Joseph 
and Catharine, b. Sept. 4, 183 1; Eliza, daughter of last two, b. 
Oct. 17, 1832; d. July 8, 1833; Joseph, her brother, b. Feb. 18, 
1838; John, d. May 20, 1823; Joseph, d. Nov. 30, 1825; Hannah, 
d. Feb. 7, 1833; Thomas, d. May 14, 1833; Joseph, son of Joseph 
and Hannah, d. Aug. 10, 1800; Joseph, d. April 26, 1838." 

I also give the following, with scarcely more satisfaction, but 
it is the best I can do: 

"Hankinson. — Two brothers. Aaron, born 1735, died 1806, 
and William, born 1737, lived in Sussex County, New Jersey. 
Aaron served in the Revolutionary War, and attained the title of 
Brigadier General. Of his 12 children, I mention 5: John, mar- 
ried Elizabeth Hunt; Sarah, married David Linn; Rachel, married 
Sidney Herriott; Elizabeth, married Nathan, son of George Arm- 
strong; Joseph, married Margaret Goble and had a daughter Phebe, 
who married Richard, son of George Armstrong. William Hankin- 
son had a son James. Of James' children, I mention 3: Eliza, Ann, 
and Thomas. Eliza, married Aaron Linn; Ann, married William 
Roy, and their daughter, Elizabeth, married David Lewis Arm- 
strong; Thomas, married Elsie Newbaker, and their son, Elijah, 
married Mary Schooley." (Genealogical Record of the descend- 
ants of Nathan Armstrong, in possession of Miss Laura Johnson, 
116 West State Street, Trenton, New Jersey, March 12, 1906.) 

Here are some more facts, of the same character, but they 
appear authentic, and I give them for what they are worth, though 
unable to identify them: 

The Church- Book of the Reformed Church, Stillwater, Sussex 
County, New Jersey, contains the name of John Hankinson, as 



Apparently the mother of General Hankinson. 

118 



Harem IHanfcinson 



father of child baptized there between 1793 and 1800. Its Record 
of Marriages shows John Hankinson and Eliza Wintermute married 
April 13, 1797; Levi Rosenkrans and Polly Hankinson June 6, 
1797; and Aaron Southard and Nancy Hankinson January 6, 
1799. There was a John V. Hankinson, Clerk of Stillwater Town- 
ship, 1837-38-46-47-49. In 1849 J onn V. Hankinson appears 
among the parents of school-children in said township, and in 1856 
he gave a church lot to the Swartswood Methodist Episcopal 
church there. These doubtless are all descendants of said Gen. 
Aaron Hankinson, or his brother William. 

Mr. George W. Roy, formerly of Fredon, Stillwater Township, 
Sussex County, New Jersey, but now of Lincoln, Nebraska, who 
has given the Hankinson Family much study and investigation 
(and to whom I am indebted for many Hankinson data), wrote 
me some years ago, that his mother was a Hankinson, and his 
father's mother also, and that the whole Roy and Hankinson fami- 
lies are intermarried and related. Joseph Roy came from the 
Isle of Jersey, 1711, and his son was Judge John Roy, of Basking- 
ridge, Somerset County, New Jersey. His son, Insley or Ensley, 
married Isabella Rhodes, whose father, Charles, was one of the 
first Clerks of Sussex County. Ann Roy, daughter of said Judge 
John, married Gershom Goble, and her daughter, Hannah, born 
about 1754, married Joseph Hankinson, a son of William and 
Susannah Hankinson; another, Margaret, born about 1764, mar- 
ried a Joseph Hankinson also, a son of Gen. Aaron Hankinson, 
so two of Gershom Goble's daughters married "Joseph Hankin- 
sons." Ann Hankinson, daughter of James Hankinson, brother 
of Joseph, who married Hannah Goble, was the mother of said 
George W. Roy, and said James and Joseph were twin brothers, 
and sons of said William and Susannah Hankinson, both of whom 
are also buried at said "Yellow Frame Cemetery." 1 

William Hankinson (2) was a son of Gen. Aaron Hankinson 
and a younger brother of Henry Hankinson (see p. no). He 
became Justice of the Peace of Warren County, 1827, and Judge 
of the Court of Common Pleas there 1829. He lived at Gravel 
Hill, Sussex County, New Jersey (now Blairstown, Warren County), 
and died there leaving a considerable estate. He was a prosper- 



1 See p. 113. 

119 



Z\)c IRueltng jfamity 



ous merchant there for many years, and built a grist-mill there 
in 1 819, which is still standing and in use. He left a widow sur- 
viving (Margaret Crissman Hankinson), but no children. He 
bequeathed his property (about $40,000, as said) to Hon. John 
I. Blair, who was then a clerk in his store there, and this was the 
beginning of the great Blair estate. Henry Hankinson used to 
say that this estate of his brother William's of right should have 
descended to him and his brothers and sisters, or their heirs; but 
it does not appear that they ever claimed it according to law, and 
the Blair title vested accordingly. 

Elizabeth Hankinson, a sister of Gen. Aaron Hankinson, was 
married to John Reading in April, 1772, and died June 9, 181 7. 
Their marriage license, April 7, 1772, is on file in office of Secretary 
of State, Trenton, New Jersey. It describes John Reading as of 
Amwell Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, and Joseph 
Hankinson is his surety. This "John Reading" has been claimed 
as "Governor Reading," but this is error. There were many John 
Readings in Hunterdon County. John Reading (1) was born in 
England (London probably), 1686, and emigrated to Gloucester 
County about 1701. Was County Clerk there. He removed to 
Amwell Township, Hunterdon County, about 17 10, and died there 
about 1 7 14, and lies buried at Buckingham Meeting House, Bucks 
County, Penna. He became Governor of New Jersey and left a 
large landed estate — several thousands of acres. His son John 
Reading (2) succeeded to his property, and enlarged it, and also 
became Governor of New Jersey and one of the first trustees of 
Princeton University. He died November 7, 1767. His son John 
(3) died 1722. His son John (8) — son of John (3) — died November, 
1820, aged sixty-nine, and it was this John Reading (I think) that 
married said Elizabeth Hankinson. He left a silver tankard, 
engraved with the Reading coat-of-arms, to his oldest male 
descendant, which he said his grandfather, Governor Reading, 
had given him, and this was to be bequeathed in like manner. 
In 1883 this tankard was in the possession of Judge James N. 
Reading, of Morris, Illinois, now deceased. His nephew, Hon. 
Charles N. Reading, lives at Frenchtown, Hunterdon County, 
New Jersey, and the Readings are still numerous in said county. 

The following is the Family Record of Henry Hankinson, 
taken partly from Bible of Gershom Rusling, 1838, and partly 



Baron IHanfcinson 



from "Carey's American Atlas," 1802, once belonging to Henry 
Hankinson, both in my possession, and both records in the hand- 
writing of said Henry Hankinson: 

Aaron Hankinson (father of Henry), b. Feb. 7, 1735; d. Oct. 9, 
1806. 

Mary, wife of Aaron Hankinson, died. 1 

Henry Hankinson, b. Aug. 27, 1767. 

Mary McCullough, his wife, b. July 17, 1782. 2 They were mar- 
ried Aug. 14, 1800, by Rev. Wm. Sloan. 

The will of Gen. Aaron Hankinson is dated April 9, 1805, and 
will be found recorded in the Surrogate's office, at Newton, Sussex 
County, New Jersey, in Book A of Wills, p. 101. It makes be- 
quests to all his children, except his son Henry, my grandfather, 
and recites he leaves him nothing because of advancements for 
education, board, clothing, etc., while prosecuting his law-studies 
at Flemington, New Jersey, during his father's lifetime. 

Here are some conveyances, that are corroborative of parts 
of the above, and may prove of interest to somebody: 

. TT 1 • Deed March it., 1802. 

Aaron Hankinson "1 _ . , ,. °L 
_, I Consideration £5. 

, , TT ° I Book of Deeds, Vol. H, p. 8, Sussex Co., N. J., 

John Hankinson. ) ^^ Qffice 

Conveys 121 acres of land, Hardwick Twp., Sussex Co., N. J. 

Aaron Hankinson \ Deed May 8, 1802. 

To [ £600. 

Joseph Green. * Book of Deeds, Vol. H, p. 156, same county. 

Conveys 130 acres of land, same township and county. 

Aaron Hankinson •» _. « _ _ . 

Deed Sep. 25, 1806. 

Wm. Hankinson, „ , ' _. , , T , ~ 
, riT .„. , , . Book of Deeds, Vol. P, p. 450, same county, 

son of William, dec d. J r Jy J 

Conveys 20 acres of land, same township and county, received from 
Joseph Hankinson, Reading-Town, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, March 1, 
1770. The Acknowledgment recites, that the grantor signs by mark (thus X) , 
because not able to write his name "by reason of infirmity.'! (He died 
October 9, 1806, only about two weeks afterwards.) 



1 May 3, 1796, I think. See p. 123. 

2 Her tombstone at Asbury, New Jersey, gives her death as October 6, 
1805, aged 25 yrs. 2 mo. 19 dys. But this must be an error, as she was then 
only 23 yrs. 2 mo. .19 dys. 



Gbe IRusIfng jfamtls 



Deed May 2, 1808. 

$S5o. 

Book of Deeds, Vol. Q, p. 678, same county. 



Hannah Hankinson, 
one of the heirs and de- 
visees of General Aaron 
Hankinson, 

To 

William Hankinson. 

Conveys an equal undivided J part of land, Hardwick Township, Sussex 
County, New Jersey, being 363 acres, more or less, received from Joseph 
Hankinson, Hunterdon County, by deed dated March 1, 1770, and by the 
will of said Aaron Hankinson, dated April 9, 1805, devised to his five chil- 
dren, William, Aaron, Daniel Thatcher, Hannah, and Elizabeth — each son 
to have two shares and each daughter one share. 



Henry Hankinson 1 t, j »«■ o 

J Deed May 10, 1802. 

I ~ 

» T , Book of Deeds, Vol. H, p. 135, same county. 

Asbury, N. J. J v " * 

Conveys 2 lots of land in Belvidere (now Warren) County, New Jersey. 

The Hankinson Family unquestionably were English, and 
settled first in Monmouth County, New Jersey, about 1680. A 
branch removed to Hunterdon County, and settled at Rowland's 
Mills, Readington Township, four miles northeast of Flemington, 
about the year 1700. These were Joseph and William Hankinson 
(see p. 117, etc.). So early as 1688 Thomas and Richard Hankin- 
son received a patent for 120 acres of land in Monmouth County 
from the proprietors of West Jersey. In 1700 Thomas Hankinson 
of Freehold bought 610 acres from Benjamin Allen. In 1764 James 
and Thomas Hankinson appear in the list of tax-payers of Shrews- 
bury Township, Monmouth County. In 1776 Kenneth Hankinson 
was taxed in Freehold Township for 594 acres and 64 cattle and 
horses; Wm. Hankinson for 150 acres; and Albert and William, 
Jr., for less amounts. This Kenneth Hankinson became Captain 
in Colonel Forman's battalion, Heard's Brigade, New Jersey Line, 
June 16, 1776, and also in First Regiment, Monmouth Militia, 
1777. There was also a James Hankinson and William Hankinson 
in Captain Walton's troop, Light Dragoons, Monmouth County, 
and a John Hankinson and Reuben Hankinson in Captain Wad- 
dell's company, First Regiment, Monmouth Militia, 1777. In 1778 
Elizabeth Hankinson married William Van Brunt, son of Nicho- 
las, "High Sheriff of Monmouth Co." Captain Kenneth Hankin- 



1 His father-in-law. 

122 



Baron IHanRtnson 



son was a man of parts and standing. The Hunterdon and Sussex 
Hankinsons all claim relationship to him. He had a son James, 
whose daughter, Eliza D., married James Newell, father of Hon. 
William A. Newell, Governor of New Jersey and several times Mem- 
ber of Congress; also, Governor of Washington Territory (now 
state), and afterwards United States Indian Agent there. James 
Newell was the son of Hugh, a Protestant Irishman and soldier of 
the Revolution, in Captain Bruere's company, Monmouth County. 
The Family Record of Aaron Hankinson seems to be as follows, 
nearly as I can construct it, after much labor and care. His Family 
Bible not found, nor any other authentic record. Not even the 
order of births of his children certain, but probably as follows: 

Aaron Hankinson, b. Feb. 7, 1735; d. Oct. 9, 1806; m. Mary Sny- 
der, Feb. 9, 1764. 
Mary Snyder Hankinson, b. Nov. 27, 1747; d. May 3, 1796. 

Their Children. 
Joseph, b. 1765?; d. 1838; 1 m. Margaret Goble, b. 1764; d. 

1814. 
Henry, b. Aug. 27, 1767; d. May 5, 1848; 2 m. Mary McCullough, 

Aug. 14, 1800, and became my grandfather (p. no). 
Sarah, b. 1770; d. Feb. 10, 1815; 3 m. (1) David Linn; 4 (2) John 

Smalley, June 10, 1806. 
John, b. Nov. 25, 1771; d. Aug. 3, 1845; 4 m. Elizabeth Hunt, 

b. Feb. 6, 1770; d. Nov. 2, 1841. Left several children. 
Thomas, b. 1775; d. April 27, 1796. 5 
William, b. Oct. 30, 1779; d. Oct. 17, 1830; m. Margaret Criss- 

man, March 14, 1805; b. Oct. 10, 1781; d. Feb. 26, 1857. No 

issue. 8 
Elizabeth, b. 1783 (?); d. 1834; m. Nathan Armstrong, b. 

Sept. 17, 1782; d. April 7, 1850. 
Aaron, b. April 22, 1786; d. Feb. 23, 1850 ; 7 m. Sarah Kelsey, 

April 12, 1804; b. March 7, 1785. 



1 Int. Marksboro' Presbyterian Cemetery, Warren County, New Jersey. 
Birth given as 1762 on his gravestone and also in his application for pension, 
Washington, D. C. But parents not married until 1764. 

2 Interred, Asbury, New Jersey. 

3 Interred, Yellow Frame Cemetery, Stillwater, New Jersey. 

4 Interred, Yellow Frame Cemetery, Stillwater, New Jersey. 

5 Possibly son of William Hankinson, but likely of Aaron Hankinson. 
Interment, Yellow Frame Cemetery, Stillwater, New Jersey. 

6 Interred, both, Union Brick Presbyterian graveyard, between Hope 
and Blairstown, New Jersey. 

7 Removed to Wyoming County, Penna. 

"3 



£be iRueltng family 



Samuel, b. 1792; d. April 21, 1793. 

Hannah, b. ; d. ; m. Cooper Kelsey, May 14, 1808. 

Rachel, b. ; d. ; m. Sidney Herriott. 1 

Nancy, b. ; d. ; m. Aaron Southard, Jan. 6, 1799. 2 

Daniel Thatcher, b. ; d. about 1840. 3 

If the above be correct, he had thirteen children in all — "a 
fruitful vine," truly. The "Genealogical Record of the descend- 
ants of Nathan Armstrong" (who married his daughter Elizabeth) 
says twelve, but there appear to have been thirteen. Probably 
"Samuel" was omitted by the writer of the Armstrong Record, 
because he died when only 15 mo. and 22 dys. old. 

The children of General Hankinson intermarried with the 
Hunts, Linns, Fowlers, Herriotts, Robbins, Southards, Cooks, 
Kelseys, Armstrongs, Crissmans, Lannings, Gobies, Roys, Winter- 
mutes, Readings, etc., of Sussex County, and their descendants 
are scattered far and wide. George Watson Roy, formerly of 
Fredon, New Jersey, but now of Lincoln, Nebraska, has the fullest 
account of these descendants. But it does not come within the 
scope of this work to trace them farther. 

I have said the Hankinsons were of English descent (p. 122). 
If so, they likely came from Middlesex County, England, where 
the Hankinsons have the following coat-of-arms: " Ar. a fesse gu. 
fretty or, betw. three ducks sa. Crest a demi-phcenix, wings 
elevated or, issuant from flames. Motto Vi et animo. " (Burke's 
Gen. Armory, 452.) Singularly, the motto, Vi et animo, "By 
Strength and Courage," is the motto of both the Hankinson and 
McCullough Families. (Fairbank's Crests, Vol. I, p. 597.) 

I cannot undertake to trace the American Hankinsons back 
to these English Hankinsons, but give the foregoing facts for what 
they are worth, as they may interest somebody. 

I have had great trouble in fixing these Hankinson data as 
well as I have, and can do no better. 



1 Adjutant, War 181 2. 2 Removed to Ohio. 

3 Never married. His oil portrait, with ruffled shirt, etc., now in pos- 
session of George Watson Roy, Lincoln, Nebraska (formerly Fredon, 
Sussex County), a great-great-grandson of William Hankinson (brother of 
General Aaron), through his son Joseph and Hannah Goble, as he claims. 
His mother, Elizabeth M. A. Hankinson. This portrait formerly belonged 
to Hon. Andrew H. Konkle, Newton, New Jersey, County Surveyor, etc. 

124 



XX 



William flUcCullougb 




ILLIAM McCULLOUGH, my great- 
grandfather on my mother's side, lived 
at Asbury, New Jersey, and was a man of 
note in his day. He was born December 
18, 1759, in the township of Greenwich, 
Warren (then Sussex) County, New 
Jersey, and died February 9, 1840. In 
July, 1776, when he was about seventeen 
years of age, he enlisted for three months in Captain Andrew 
Mellick's company, of which his father, Benjamin McCullough, 
was a lieutenant, in Col. Mark Thompson's First Regiment, Sussex 
Militia, and was in skirmish with the British near Bound Brook, 
New Jersey. In the fall of 1776 he enlisted again for three months, 
in his father, Capt. Benjamin McCullough's, company, of same 
regiment, and was in battle at Springfield, New Jersey, December 
17, 1776. In February, 1777, he enlisted for one month more, 
in same company, and was in engagement with British at Mill- 
stone, New Jersey. Later in 1777 he served two weeks, in Capt. 
Wm. Bond's company of same regiment, I think, against the 
refugees or Tories. In November, 1777, he was appointed Con- 
ductor of Teams, with the rank and pay of "Captain and Con- 
ductor of Team Brigade" (Brigade Quartermaster), and served 
in this capacity in New Jersey and Pennsylvania until May, 1781 
— nearly four years — under Captains Moore Furman and Peter 
Gordon, and Colonels Jacob West and Robert Hooper, Deputy 
Quartermaster and Commissary Generals, receiving orders from 
all these officials, and must have been an efficient and reliable 



125 



Gbe IRuslina yamtty 



officer. He owned three of his teams himself and his father four 
teams. (This from War Department and Pension Office Records, 
Washington, D. C, in a report made by himself, corroborated by 
an order from Colonel West dated March 5, 1778, and by affidavits 
of Daniel Vliet, Michael Myers, Jacob Petty, James Gardner, and 
Peter Winters, who served with him.) After the war he became 
Lieutenant Colonel Lower Regiment Sussex Militia, June 5, 1793; 
transferred to Third Regiment, and resigned November 23, 1801; 
and was always called "Colonel" 1 McCullough afterwards. (See 
Officers and Men of New Jersey in Revolutionary War by N. J., 
1872, pp. 401-849.) 

After the war he made application for pension (No. 18,504) 
September 4, 1832, and was granted a pension at the rate of $320 
per annum, which was afterwards increased to $480 per annum. 
He was an earnest friend of all public improvements and especially 
of education, and gave the lot for a public school at Washington, 
Warren County, New Jersey, and with others caused the first 
school-house to be erected there. 

He was the son of Benjamin McCullough, who was a captain in 
General Heard's Brigade, New Jersey Line, June 14, 1776, and after- 
wards captain in the First Regiment, Sussex Militia, May 24, 1777. 

Benjamin McCullough was of Scotch-Irish ancestry (a Pres- 
byterian, of course), and came over from the North of Ireland, 
County Tyrone or Antrim, with the Maxwells, Kennedys, Stewarts, 
and others of that ilk about 1750. He was born March 27, 1734. 
There was a great famine in Ireland in 1741, followed by a large 
emigration to America, and he likely came about that time. He 
settled in Greenwich (afterwards Mansfield) 2 Township, Sussex 
(now Warren) County, New Jersey, and early obtained employ- 
ment on the estate of a widow named Hannah Cook Henry or 
Heanrie. He found favor in her eyes, and married her about 
1757 or 1758. Her maiden name was Hannah Cook, and she is 
reported to have been related to Captain James Cook, the great 



1 The Adjutant General's Office, Trenton, New Jersey, after full search, 
reports that there is no record of his ever being full "Colonel," notwith- 
standing he was always called that. Probably called "Colonel," as all 
lieutenant colonels were and are now. 

2 So called after the great Lord Mansfield, Chief Justice of England about 
*754i when said township was set off from Greenwich. 

126 




COLONEL WILLIAM McCULLOUGII 
I759-184O 

From an oil painting, 1810. 



William oncCullouab 



English navigator, who was born 1728 and killed and eaten by 
cannibals in the Sandwich Islands, 1779. She was the granddaugh- 
ter of John Cook, and daughter of Arthur ' and Elizabeth Cook, 
and widow of William Henry or Heanrie, and owned over a thou- 
sand acres of land in said Greenwich Township, and Readington 
Township adjoining in Hunterdon County. On October 19, 1757, 
she conveyed to Michael Heanrie, of Readington, and William 
Bishop, of Greenwich, 800 acres, in trust for her children by her 
first marriage until they became twenty-one, to wit: Arthur, 
Michael, Nathaniel, Jane, Elizabeth, and Sarah Heanrie. Evi- 
dently this was in anticipation of her second marriage, to Captain 
Benjamin McCullough, which I conjecture was about 1757 or 
1758, as their first child, William McCullough, was born 1759. In 
1763 Captain Benjamin McCullough lived at or near Bloomsbury, 
in said Greenwich Township, and owned the mill property, and 
several valuable farms in the heart of the Musconetcong Valley, 
and had already become a man of importance there. Was a 
farmer, miller, and general man of business. 

I think he was in the French and Indian war, but am not 
sure of this. His name appears first in Mansfield Township in 
1754. He was a member of the Committee of Safety of his Town- 
ship and County in 177s, 2 member of Assembly New Jersey, 1778- 
1779, and Freeholder of his Township, 1781-1784. There was also 
a Robert McCullough in the New Jersey Line, 1776, but whether 
he was the same as " Robert McCullough, Matross, Cap't Neill's 
Eastern Co. Artillery" State Troops, 1777, or related to Benjamin 



1 This Arthur Cook was probably a great-grandson of Arthur Cook who 
lived at Portsmouth, Rhode Island, in 1684; in 1685 he moved to Burling- 
ton, New Jersey; in 1685 he moved to Philadelphia, and died there April 1, 
1700; a merchant. Or he may have been a son of John Cook and Mary Sim- 
cock, daughter of John Simcock, who was a charter member of William 
Penn's corporation, 1682, president of his Council, 1687; Justice of Penn- 
sylvania Supreme Court, 1690, and Chief Justice, 1696. In 17 14 there was 
a John Cook and his son Arthur living near Bloomsbury, New Jersey. This 
son Arthur married Elizabeth (name unknown), but probably they were 
the Arthur and Elizabeth Cook above mentioned. 

2 There was a meeting of the Committee of Safety of Sussex County, at 
the Court House, Newton, New Jersey, August 10-11, 1775, at which Gen- 
eral William Maxwell, Captain Benjamin McCullough, and James Stewart 
were present, representing Greenwich Township. (Snell's History of Sussex 
and Warren Counties, New Jersey, in New Jersey State Library, p. 51.) 

127 



ftbe IRusling family 



McCullough, I do not know, but conjecture he was a brother. He 
(B. McC.) lies buried in the old graveyard of the Presbyterian 
church in Greenwich Township, near Stewartsville, Warren County, 
New Jersey, and the inscription on his tombstone is as follows: 

In memory of 

Benj m McCullough 

who departed this life 

March 27, 1789, 

In the 55th year of his age. 

My flesh shall slumber in the ground, 

Till the last trumpet joyful sounds, 
Then burst the chains with sweet surprise, 

And in my Saviour's image rise. 

He died intestate; his administrator was his son William, 
who filed no Inventory or Account — to save cost and expenses, 
probably. Doubtless his estate was divided equally between his 
son William and his daughter Hannah Cook amicably. His Let- 
ters of Administration were dated June 13, 1789. (See Records 
of Secretary of State's office, Trenton, New Jersey.) The estate 
of his wife likely descended to the two children the same way. 
No Will of hers on file there, either. 

His son, Colonel William McCullough, after the Revolution, 
about 1784, settled at Asbury, New Jersey, then called Hall's 
Mills, and assisted in building the Methodist Episcopal church 
there in 1796. Its corner-stone was laid August 9, 1796, by Bishop 
Francis Asbury, and soon afterwards the name of the town was 
changed from Hall's Mills to Asbury in honor of the good Bishop. 
A Methodist Society seems to have existed there much before 
then, however. In 1786, two years after Colonel McCullough 
came to Hall's Mills, he was converted to Methodism under the 
ministry of Revs. John McCloskey and Ezekiel Cooper, and im- 
mediately connected himself with said Methodist Society — having 
been bred a Presbyterian, as all his family. The Methodists had 
no church yet, but worshipped in private houses, and it was not 
until 1796, ten years afterwards, that they had grown strong 
enough to erect a Methodist church. It was then done largely 
through the influence and liberality of Colonel McCullough. The 
deed for the church is dated August 8, 1796. On August 7, Bishop 
Asbury preached in Trenton, and on August 8 rode on horseback 
"throughout Penny-town (Pennington) along an agreeable and 

128 



TOtlliam flncdullougb 



well-settled portion of the country" towards Asbury. He says: 
"Tuesday Aug. 9, 1796, we made our way 25 miles to Brother 
McCullough's, near Schooley's mountain, probably a remnant of 
the Blue Ridge. After a good meeting at Brother McC.'s, 
we went to lay the foundation of the new Meeting House. We 
sang a part of Dr. Watts' hymn on the ' Corner-Stone, ' " and 
prayed. I then had to lend a hand to lay the mighty corner-stone 
of the house. We then sang and prayed, and retired to Brother 
Budd's, 2 an Israelite indeed, my never-failing friend in time, and 
I hope will be to all eternity. 

"Wednesday 10 — I thought it not good to be idle, so I went 
to Hackettstown and preached. We had few people, but a feeling, 
serious time." (Asbury Journals, Vol. II, p. 259.) 

"July 20, 1799, I rode in great pain and heat, hungry and 
sick, 25 miles (from Sussex C. H.) to Mr. McCullough's (William 
McCullough's, Asbury, New Jersey). How welcome a good house, 
kind friends, and a cold day! What is the cause of my affliction? 
Is it the water, or the weather, or my bilious habit? I am at a 
loss to know. 

"Sunday 21 — At Colonel McCollock's. 3 Having been so un- 
well for some days past, it was enough for me to exhort a little, 
after Jesse Lee had given them 2 sermons." (Vol. II, p. 348-9.) 

"Thursday, May 9, 181 1, We came to Asbury and I preached 
and added a special exhortation. Were it not for the brewing 
and drinking miserable whisky, Asbury town would be a pleasant 
place. Friday to James Egbert's. Bethel Chapel has been bought 
and re-fitted for the Methodists. I preached in it. I am unknown 
in New Jersey and ever shall be, I presume. After forty years 
labor we have not yet ten thousand in membership." (Asbury 
Journal, Vol. Ill, p. 308.) 4 

This first M. E. church at Asbury was not completed and 
dedicated until 1798. 5 It remained in use until 1842, when it was 



1 Doubtless Hymn 766 of Methodist Hymnal, 1899. 

2 Rev. William Budd, a Methodist minister, and father-in-law of Wil- 
liam McCullough. 

3 The Bishop's orthography at fault, as often with him, George Wash- 
ington and others of that time. 

4 But in 1907 over one hundred thousand Methodists in New Jersey! 

5 Dedicated by Rev. D. W. Bartine, father of Rev. D. W. Bartine, D.D. 

[9] 129 



£be IRueling family 



sold and removed, and the present edifice erected there. In 1864 
this was raised and extended, and a basement put under it, and a 
spire erected over it. In 1869 the old "bell" was transferred to 
the Asbury Academy, and a new one installed at a cost of. $500. 
In 1894 the old parsonage and lot (several acres) given to the 
church by my mother about 18 19, and over a quarter of a mile 
from the church, were sold, and the desirable residence of Dr. Gale 
(dec'd) next door south of the church, and eight acres of land ad- 
joining, were purchased and annexed to the church for parsonage 
and cemetery purposes. In this my brother Henry and I assisted 
to the extent of several hundred dollars each. In 1906-7 the church 
was further renovated and improved by new stained-glass windows, 
frescoing, painting, etc., by its members, and a Memorial Window 
to my father and mother, Gershom and Eliza B. Rusling, also 
erected there by my brother William Henry and myself. Also 
a Memorial Tablet to Colonel William McCullough was then erected 
there by his grandson, Robert Kennedy McCullough, of New York 
and Paris; also a Memorial Tablet to Bishoy Asbury, by P. B. 
Butterwick, a citizen of Asbury, N. J. In the old graveyard 
adjoining the church are the graves of Colonel McCullough, 
Henry Hankinson, James Rusling (1), Gershom Rusling, and their 
families for at least four generations. 

William McCullough was a Freeholder of Mansfield Township 
in 1797, member of Assembly New Jersey, 1793-94-95-96-99, and 
of Council New Jersey, 1800-01-02-03. In 1803 he became Judge 
of Court of Common Pleas of Sussex and continued (of that county 
and Warren) until 1838 — a Judge of Sussex until Warren was set 
off from it, and then of Warren County until 1838 — over thirty- 
five years in succession. He was not a lawyer, and his knowledge 
of law therefore was limited; but he had great knowledge of men 
and was gifted eminently with common sense, or he could never 
have maintained himself on the bench so long. He lived at Asbury, 
in a noble mansion, erected by himself, with spacious hall and 
rooms, on a high bluff overlooking the Musconetcong River, and 
away to the Asbury Mountain, surrounded by large grounds with 
stately trees (many brought from a distance), and dispensed a 
gracious hospitality there for many years. In my childhood days, 
I was often at his house, and he at my father's at Washington, 
only five miles north. On Sundays we often drove down to Asbury 

130 



TNMIUam flllcCullougb 



to "meeting" and afterwards dined at Colonel McCullough's. We 
always called him "Grandpa McCullough" in those days, and 
my father and mother were always great favorites with him. 
My mother and Aunt Keturah were both brought up in his 
house and married from there, as stated on p. 112, their mother 
(his daughter Mary, or "Polly "as he always called her, dying 
in their early childhood — when they were only five and two 
years old respectively), and their father never remarrying, and 
so naturally we were all very fond of him. He was then a 
little, spare old man, very gray, slow of speech, erect of 
carriage, with a keen eye and canny face, and altogether a 
good deal of a man in his day. I have a photograph of his 
portrait painted in 18 10. (See "cut," p. 126.) It was well said 
of him, " he was a man of progressive ideas and far ahead of his 
times. " He purchased large tracts of land around Asbury, and up 
towards Washington and Port Colden, but died encumbered and 
insolvent. Considerable land at or near Broadway also came 
into his possession by inheritance, I think, and though long 
litigation ensued it was adjudged to him at last. He was 
probably "land poor," like George Washington, but without 
Washington's large estate otherwise. He had a large and expen- 
sive family, that depended greatly on him for support, and in his 
latter years be became eaten up by endorsements, mortgages, etc. 
He was a farmer, merchant, miller, and general man of business 
throughout all that region, like his father before him. 

The following is the inscription on Colonel McCullough's tomb- 
stone, in the graveyard of the Methodist Episcopal church at 

Asbury, New Jersey: 

Sacred to the memory of 

Col. William McCullough, 

who departed this life 

February 9th, 1840, 

aged 81 years, 1 month, and 19 days. 

He was a friend and promoter of Internal im- 
provements, a member of the Legislative Coun- 
cil for a number of years, and served upwards of 
30 years as one of the Judges of the Court of 
Common Pleas, in Sussex and Warren Counties. 
He attached himself to the Methodist Episcopal 
Church in the year 1786, and continued a useful 
member until his death. His end was peace. 

I3 1 



Gbe IRueltng family 



The following is from the Christian Advocate and Journal, 
New York, May 29, 1840, and was written by Rev. Dr. Deems, 
then pastor of Asbury Circuit, Methodist Episcopal Church, but 
afterwards pastor of the Church of the Strangers, New York 
(pp. 135-136): 

Feb. 9 — At his residence in Asbury, Warren County, N. J., Col. William 
M'Cullough, in his 82c! year. 

In the death of this venerable man, society has lost a useful member, 
and his children a kind father. He took a part in the Revolutionary War in 
favor of the colonies, and was generally known as a promoter of internal 
improvements. He filled some of the most respectable offices in his county, 
was frequently elected to a seat in the legislative council of his state, and 
acted as one of the associate judges in the courts of Sussex and Warren 
counties for upward of thirty years. 1 In the year 1786 he became a professor 
of religion, and attached himself to the M. E. Church, in which he continued 
an acceptable member until his death. His house was always the preachers' 
home. His last illness was short and mild, and he passed away like the 
setting of the evening sun. After his speech failed him, he was asked by a 
relative 2 if his confidence in Christ still remained unshaken ; and if so, to 
signify it by raising his right hand, when, to the joy of his friends, he imme- 
diately raised both, one after the other, and made an effort to elevate his 
whole body. His funeral was attended by a large collection of relatives and 
friends, and the religious services were performed by the Rev. M. Force and 
Rev. George Banghart. The funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Manning 
Force, from Psa. lxxiii, 26: "My flesh and my heart faileth; but God is the 
strength of my heart, and my portion forever." 

C. M. F. D. 

Colonel McCullough had no brothers, and but a single sister, 
named Hannah Cook, after her mother. Hannah Cook McCullough 
had many advantages for her time, as her mother was wealthy for 
that period, and distinguished in that part of New Jersey as "the 
first lady who kept her carriage." She was born November 6, 
1760. On March 15, 1779, she was married to Jacob Piatt, fifth 
son of John Piatt, of French Huguenot descent, of the Province 
of Dauphine\ France. After the revocation of the Edict of Nantes 
(1685), the Piatt family fled to Holland and established itself in 
Amsterdam, and there John Piatt married Frances Wykoff, nee 
Van Vliet, a widow of English and Dutch ancestry. He soon emi- 
grated to St. Thomas, West Indies, and continued there several 



1 Over thirty-five years. 

2 My father, Gershom Rusling. Have often heard him relate the incident. 

132 



TOilltam flllc CulIouQb 



years, but emigrated to America, and settled in New Jersey, at 
Six-Mile Run, near New Brunswick, Middlesex County, probably 
about 1740 or 1750. Jacob Piatt was born May 16, 1747. He was 
an ensign, first lieutenant and captain in the New Jersey Line 
during the Revolution, but resigned March 11, 1780. Having 
married in 1779, this probably led to his resignation. He 
served in the expedition against Quebec, and also at the battles 
of Germantown, Brandywine, Short Hills, and Monmouth, and 
claimed to have been present at the altercation between Wash- 
ington and Lee at Monmouth. He became Judge of the Court of 
Common Pleas in Essex (or Sussex) County, New Jersey, but in 
1795 removed to Boone County, Kentucky, where he also held the 
like office for thirteen years. Here he acquired a large tract of 
land, opposite to Lawrenceburg, Indiana, near the junction of 
the Ohio and Miami rivers, and died there August 14, 1834, at the 
age of eighty-seven years. He had six children, of whom Benjamin 
McCullough and John Hooper became much distinguished. Ben- 
jamin settled at Lawrenceburg, Indiana, but afterwards moved 
to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he became a distinguished lawyer and 
judge, and acquired a large fortune. His second daughter, Ara- 
bella, became the wife of Dr. William Budd McCullough, her 
first cousin, referred to on p. 138. Her mother was Elizabeth 
Barnett, daughter of William Barnett, a wealthy Virginian who 
emigrated to Kentucky in 1798 and settled near Jacob Piatt. 
She (Mrs. McC.) left two daughters, Elizabeth Budd and Arabella 
Piatt. The former married General Thomas Kilby Smith, a dis- 
tinguished Ohio officer in our Civil War (186 1-5), and died at 
Philadelphia, Penna., February 16, 1899. She was a lady of un- 
usual gifts, and a poetess of much ability. She had fine taste in 
music, literature, and art, and like her mother and children was 
a devout and earnest Catholic, though with charity for all. She 
left three sons and two daughters to mourn her loss. See p. 139. 
John H. Piatt, brother of Benjamin Piatt, became a leading 
merchant and banker in Cincinnati, and amassed a great fortune 
for those days. In the War of 181 2 he became a large contractor 
for the Government, for the supply of our Western Army, and by 
the depreciation of our currency was ruined and sent to a debtor's 
prison in Washington, D. C, and died there in prison-bounds, 
February 12, 1822. He had a large claim against the United States, 

*33 



Zbc IRusling family 



amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars. But this was not 
allowed until 1875, an d he had then been dead over fifty years. 
Had the Government paid this promptly, as he deserved, he would 
have saved his property and credit, and likely have died a million- 
naire or multi-millionnaire. The Piatt family is still numerous and 
distinguished in Ohio and Indiana, and the famous Colonel Donn 
Piatt, soldier and journalist in our Civil War, on the staff of General 
Schenck and elsewhere, was a son of said Benjamin M. Piatt. 

The following is the Family Record of Benjamin and William 
McCullough, or the best practicable: 

Benjamin McCullough, b. March 27, 1736; d. March 27, 1789. 

m. Hannah Cook Henry, 1757-8. 
Hannah Cook Henry McCullough, b. ; d. . 

Their Children. 

William McCullough, b. Dec. 18, 1759; d. Feb. 9, 1840. 

Hannah McCullough, b. Nov. 6, 1760; d. June 8, 1818; m. 
Jacob Piatt, 1779. 

William McCullough, m. (1st) Keturah (or Catura) Hunt, b. 

; d. Sept. 17, 1788; 1 m. (2d) Elizabeth Budd, July 15, 

1789; b. May 23, 1770; d. June r, 1823; 2 m. (3d) Mary 
Grandin, Aug. 18, 1824; b. ; d. Feb. 9, 1840. 

His first wife, Keturah, departed this life September 17, 
1788, "rejoicing in the God of her salvation, and deposited in 
Greenwich in the Family Burying Ground," 3 as the quaint old 
record recites. 

His second wife, Elizabeth Budd, was dau. of Rev. Wm. Budd, 
of Asbury and Pemberton, New Jersey, and Letitia his wife, dau. 
of Jonathan and Letitia Brian Hough, Philadelphia, Penna. 

His third wife, Mary Grandin, was the wid. of Dr. John F. 
Grandin, Hamden, Hunterdon County, New Jersey; her place of 
interment unknown. They were married by Rev. Benjamin 
Collins, then pastor Methodist Episcopal church, Asbury, New 
Jersey. 



1 She died intestate. Her husband administrator, December 22, 1790. 
No inventory or account ever filed — to save costs, probably. See records 
of office of Secretary of State, Trenton, New Jersey. 

2 Have photograph from her portrait, 1810. (See cut adjoining.) 

3 I take this to be the old Greenwich Presbyterian churchyard, near 
Stewartsville, Warren County, New Jersey, but her grave cannot be found 
there now. 

134 




ELIZABETH BUDD MCCULLOUGH 

1770-1823 

From an oil painting, 1810. 



Militant flncCullousb 



Their Children, as Follows. 

Hannah (by ist wife), b. ; d. young. 

Mary (by ist wife), b. July 17, 1782; d. Oct. 6, 1805; m. Henry 

Hankinson, Aug. 14, 1800, by Rev. Wm. B. Sloan. 
Ann (by ist wife), b. Oct. 10, 1784; d. Sept. 3, 1804; m. Samuel W. 

Budd, Philadelphia, Penna., and Pemberton, N. J., b. 1781; 

d. 1854. No issue. 
Letitia (by 2d wife), b. Oct. 4, 1791; d. ; m. Israel Doty 

Disosway, New York. 
Benjamin (by 2d wife), b. Feb. 14, 1794; d. Oct. 24, 1849; m - 

Maria Bixler, dau. Christopher, Easton, Pa.; b. Sept. 9, 

1796; d. May 3, 1857. 1 
Jane (by 2d wife), b. April 4, 1795; d. Oct. 20, 1840; m. William 

Van Antwerp, New York, Aug. n, 181 5; b. Feb. 10, 1792; 

d. Oct. 20, i860. 
Keturah (by 2d wife), b. May 27, 1798; d. 1851; m. Anthony 

Mindurt Farley. 2 
William Budd (by 2d wife), b. Feb. 11, 1801; d. June 24, 1868; 

Hayward, Alameda Co., Cal. 

Of these children of William McCullough, I can give only the 
following: 

Hannah died in infancy probably; never married. 

Mary married Henry Hankinson and became my grandmother 

(pp. in, 123). 
Ann married Samuel W. Budd, of Pemberton, N. J. (p. 14°)- 

Letitia McCullough married Israel Doty Disosway, of New 
York. He was of an old Huguenot family on Staten Island. He 
became a wealthy merchant in New York and Newark, and re- 
sided in Asbury some years, but subsequently failed and removed 
first to Virginia and then to Illinois and died there many years 
ago. Her sons were Edward, Mark R., William, and Frank. The 
latter killed at Seven Pines, Virginia, May 31, 1862, in Confederate 
service. Her son Mark R. died at Sheldon, Illinois, several years 
ago, leaving a widow, Mary, still surviving there. One of Letitia's 
daughters, Anna Letitia (b. May 22, 1816, d. Jan. 27, 1901, Flush- 
ing, L. I.), married Rev. Charles M. F. Deems, D.D., LL.D. (June 
29, 1843). He was a man of marked gifts and high character 
(b. Dec. 4, 1820; d. Nov. 18, 1893, New York). He graduated at 
Dickinson College, Carlisle, Penna., 1839, with first honors; was 



1 Interred, Easton, Penna. 

2 Chambers, Early German Settlers New Jersey, p. 355. 

1 35 



XLbc IRueltna family 



President Greensboro' College, North Carolina, 1850; pastor Church 
of the Strangers, New York, 1866-1893; President American In- 
stitute of Christian Philosophy, 1881, and author of many religious 
books, etc. One of his sons, Rev. Edward Mark Deems, D.D., 
named after his uncle Mark Disosway (b. Greensboro', North 
Carolina, April 22, 1852), is a graduate of Princeton University, 
with high honors, and has been pastor of First Presbyterian 
church, Hornellsville, New York, for nearly twenty years now. 
He was formerly pastor of Westminster Presbyterian church, 
New York. He is the chaplain of Hornell Lodge, No. 331, A. 
F. and A. M., and a member of the Masonic chapter and com- 
mandery there. He is an able and versatile scholar and gentle- 
man, and has made a marked and lasting impression for good 
wherever he has resided. He married Virginia Price, New York, 
1884, and has three sons and two daughters. One of his sons, 
Charles F., is now in Princeton University, and worthy of his 
parentage and ancestry. His sister, Marian J. Verdery, lives 
at Flushing, Long Island, and her mother died at her house 
there. His oldest brother, Theodore, a first lieutenant Fifth 
Regiment, North Carolina Confederate Volunteers, was wounded 
in a charge at Gettysburg, Penna., July 1, 1863, and died July 
17th following from said wound. 

Letitia, dau. of Theodore and Rebecca Disosway, died July 
16, 1852, aged 1 yr. 3 mo. I take this Theodore to be one of Letitia 
McCullough's sons. 

Benjamin McCullough kept a store and country inn at 
Broadway, New Jersey, about 1840, and before and afterwards, 
and was a genial and hospitable man. I was often there when 
a lad, as we lived then only three miles away, at Washing- 
ton, New Jersey, and we all thought a great deal of " Uncle 
Ben" and his family. One of his sons, Robert Kennedy, became 
a man of fortune, and lives now in New York and Paris. (See 
P. 13°-) 

His (Benjamin McCullough's) record as follows: 

Benjamin McCullough, b. Feb. 14, 1794; d. Oct. 24, 1849 ;' 
m. Maria Bixler, dau. Christopher Bixler, Easton, Pa., b. 
Sept. 9, 1796; d. May 3, 1857. ■ 



1 Interment, Easton, Penna. 

136 



ratlliam flllcCullouGb 



Their Children. 
Catharine, b. ; d. ; m. William Townsend, publisher, 



New York. 
Elizabeth, b. ; d. 



Mary, b. 1830; d. 1884; m. Cotten Bean, d. 1906. 

William C., 1 b. ; d. Aug. 25, 1876; int. Broadway; m. . 

Sarah Lommerson, b. Aug. 22, 1821; d. Dec. 22, 1870. 

Henry, 2 b. ; d. ; m. Julia Drake, d. Jan., 1880. 

Robert Kennedy, 3 b. Jan. 8, 1827, of New York and Paris; m. 
Martha Barmore, New York. 

Jane McCullough married William Van Antwerp, a wealthy 
merchant in New York at one time, of an old Dutch family, and 
left a large family. 

Their record as follows : 

William McCullough, b. June 14, 1816. 

Mary, b. Jan. 19, 1818; d. early. 

Elizabeth, b. Sept. 13, 1819; d. ; m. Dr. William Mul- 

hallon. 

Lewis W., b. June 3, 1821; m. Kate Anderson. His dau. Alice 
m. George W. Lea, Philadelphia. His son Theodore lives at 
Huntington, Indiana. 

Theodore, b. April 3, 1823; m. Leonora P. Fisher. Now of 
Huntington, Indiana. 

Mary, b. Dec. 6, 1824; d. ; m. George Trotter, of Phila- 
delphia and New York. 

Margaret Ann Dewitt, b. Nov. 10, 1826; d. . 

Thomas Boyd, b. July 30, 1830; d. June 29, 1877; m. Margaret 
Strickland, now of Montclair, N. J., April 10, 1866, dau. of 
Rev. Wm. P. Strickland, by Bishop Foster, at Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Louise Jane, b. Feb. 20, 1834; d. . 

James, b. June 19, 1835; d. ; m. (1st) Phoebe Stout, (2d) 

Kate Cannon, New Brunswick, N. J. 

William B., b. Jan. 2, 1839; d. May 26, 1864. 

Nicholas, b. Jan. 12, 1840. 

There were sixteen in all, of whom William McCullough, Mary 
(1st), Margaret, and Nicholas, died in infancy. 

Also there was a Lieutenant William Budd Van Antwerp, 
"died at Chesapeake Hospital, Fortress Monroe, Virginia, in the 



1 His great-grandson, Frank L., b. May 30, 1875, m. Hattie Donnelly, 
June 15, 1904; b. March 20, 1879; lives at 556 Lafayette Ave., Brooklyn, 
N. Y. He has a dau. E. Adele, b. Oct. 17, 1905. 

2 Interred, Easton, Penna., but no dates on gravestone. 

3 See p. 136. 

J 37 



£be IRueltng family 



service of his country, 25 years of age, " according to his tombstone, 
Asbury, New Jersey. But his company and regiment not given, 
nor dates of his birth and death. 1 Was her son, I think. 

Keturah McCullough married Anthony Mindurt Farley (b. 
1789; d. 1851), by whom she had five children. William M. died 
in infancy; Catharine (Minard, New York), William (New Ger- 
mantown, New Jersey), and Elizabeth (m. Geo. M. Galliard), 
Pelhamville, New Jersey. One of her sons or grandsons (William) 
used to visit my father about 1850, and they resided then at or 
near White House or New Germantown, New Jersey. The Farleys 
were at Woburn, Massachusetts, about 1641, and removed to 
Trenton, New Jersey, about 1700 (George and Caleb trustees of 
First Presbyterian church there 1709) and then to New German- 
town, New Jersey, 1760. 2 

William Budd graduated at Yale and read law with Governor 
Vroom (New Jersey), but did not like it, and then studied medicine 
and became an excellent physician. He practiced at Asbury, New 
Jersey, 1834-1837; at Broadway, New Jersey, 1842-1843; and 
then removed to Lawrenceburg, Indiana, where he lived several 
years and was member of Board of Managers of State Lunatic 
Asylum, and then removed to Minnesota and California. He was 
a man of a good deal of mind and character, but without the 
"canny" sense of the "Old Colonel," as people always called 
his father. 

His record as follows: 

William Budd McCullough, b. Feb. 11, 1801; d. June 24, 1868; 
m. (1st) Arabella S. Piatt, May 16, 1826, by Rev. Fin-man 
Bishop, Cincinnati, O. ; 3 m. (2d) Matilda Moore, Sept. 4, 
1833, by Rev. Sylvester Scovil, of Presbyterian church, 
Harrison, O. 

Arabella S. McCullough, b. July 4, 1808;. d. Feb. 1, 1830, in 
New York. 4 

Matilda Moore McCullough, b. ; d. . 



1 Since writing above, I have ascertained from the War Department he 
was Second Lieutenant, Company F, Thirteenth Indiana Volunteers, b. Jan. 
2, 1839; d. May 26, 1864. Wounded in battle May 10, 1864. 

2 Chambers, Early German Settlers New Jersey, p. 355. 

3 His first cousin. 

4 Her mother lived in Ohio. But she came to New York and took her 
daughter home in her private carriage, for interment at Cincinnati. Stopped 
over night at my father's, Washington, New Jersey. 



138 



J 



UGUlliam fllkCullcrngb 



Their Children. 
Elizabeth Budd (by ist wife), b. June 18, 1827, Asbury, N. J.; 

d. Feb. 16, 1899, Philadelphia, Pa.; m. Gen. Thomas Kilby 

Smith, May 21, 1848 (pp. 133-139). 
Arabella Piatt (by ist wife), b. Jan. n, 1830, New York; d. Aug. 

21, 1846, Cincinnati, O. 
Benjamin (by 2d wife), b. Aug. 27, 1834, Asbury, N. J.; bap. by 

Rev. Manning Force. 
Sarah Jones (by 2d wife), b. Aug. 30, 1836, Asbury, N. J.; bap. 

by same. 
John Moore (by 2d wife), b. Dec. 26, 1839, Asbury, N. J.; bap. 

by same. 
William Budd (by 2d wife), b. July 14, 1841, Broadway, N. J.; 

d. April 25, 1843. 
Matilda Moore (by 2d wife), b. May 19, 1844, near Lawrenceburg, 

Ind.; d. June 29, 1847. 

Jane (by 2d wife), b. Nov. 27, , same place. 

Charles Deems (by 2d wife), b. Oct. 2, 1849, same place. 
Letitia (by 2d wife), b. July 26, 1854. 
Minnie (by 2d wife), b. Nov. 10, 1855. 

Record of his daughter Elizabeth Budd, as follows: 

Elizabeth Budd McCullough, b. June 18, 1827, Asbury, N. J.; 
d. Feb. 16, 1899, Philadelphia, Pa.; m. Gen. Thomas Kilby 
Smith, May 2, 1848. He b. Sept. 23, 1820, Boston, Mass.; d. 
Dec. 14, 1887, New York. 

Their Children. 
Elizabeth Barnett, b. May 22, 1850; d. ; m. George 

Gifford Esler, Feb. 24, 1880. He d. 1886. 
Arabella Theresa, b. April 7, 1852; d. Aug. 21, 1868. 
Walter George, b. Nov. 24, 1854; m. Elizabeth L. Drexel, 

June 7, 1890. She d. Sept. 26, 1890. 
Theodore Dehan, b. Jan. 1, 1857; d. Feb. 15, 1894. 
Adrian Worthington, b. Dec. 16, i860; d. Dec. 15, 1872. 
Helen Grace. 
Caroline Genevieve. 

William Butler Duncan, b. Dec. 30, 1868. 
Thomas Kilby, b. Oct. 28, 187 1. 

Theodore D. died at Buenos Ayres, Argentina, while on mis- 
sionary duty there, being a member of the Passionist Order of 
Priests, R. C. 

Adrian W. was an architect and a man of unusual gifts. 

The five older children were born in Ohio. The four younger 
at Torresdale, Philadelphia, Penna. The second daughter drowned 
there in Delaware River accidentally. 



1 39 



£be IRusling family 



Walter George and Thomas Kilby are both members of the 
Philadelphia Bar, in high standing, and Walter George especially 
is a great favorite of Archbishop Ryan there. In 1898 he published 
the "Life and Letters" of General Thomas Kilby Smith, his father, 
a very interesting book, which was handsomely received by the 
press and the public. 

Of the Budd Family, only the following can be given: 

William Budd, Jr., son of William 1 and Letitia Budd, dau. of 

Jonathan and Letitia Brian Hough, Philadelphia, Penna. ; b. 

June 26, 1775, about 5 o'clock a.m. 
Francenia Budd, wife of William Budd, Jr., and daughter of 

Thomas Allibone and Esther his wife, b. March, 1775. 
William Budd and Francenia his wife married Dec. 23d, 1795, 

by the Rev. John McClaskey in Philadelphia. 
William Allibone Budd, son of William and Francenia Budd, 

his wife, born Oct. 1, 1796, about 5 o'clock in the morning. 
Thomas Budd, son of William and Francenia, his wife, b. July 15, 

1798, about one in the morning. 
William Budd was born June 14, 1742. 
Ruth Lott was born August 21, 1749. 
William Budd and Ruth Jaques were married Dec. 4, 1794. 

The Budds abound both in Philadelphia and South Jersey. 
But the only one we knew much of was Samuel W. Budd, who 
married Ann McCullough (p. 135). She died soon afterwards, and 
he sorrowed greatly over her. He lived at Pemberton, New Jersey, 
and used to come to Asbury frequently to visit her grave, and 
then always stopped at my father's. After we removed to Trenton 
(1845) father went to Pemberton to visit him. He remarried to 
Ann Tripp, b. 1790, d. 1843, an d had four sons and three daughters 
by her: Samuel, Thomas, William, Charles, Martha, Ann, and 
Mary. Was known at Pemberton as "Prince Sammy." 

The following old "Account of the McCullough Family" I 
chanced upon one day in the Philadelphia Library, corner Locust 
and Juniper Streets, Philadelphia, Penna., while searching for 



1 This seems to be the Rev. William Budd, father of second wife of 
William McCullough (p. 135). He was of Quaker family, but converted to 
Methodism by Bishop Asbury. He was not an ordained minister, but a 
local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Was a wealthy land- 
holder at Pemberton, New Jersey. One of his daughters married Nathan 
Trotter, Philadelphia. 

140 



TOtlllam flGcCullougb 



other matters. It is from the " Life and Correspondence of Judge 
James Iredell." James Iredell was Governor of North Carolina 
and afterwards United States Senator and Justice of Supreme 
Court of the United States, and descended from the McCullochs 
of North Ireland. The name is spelled Cullo, McCullo, McCulloch, 
and McCullough, indifferently, but all seem to have been of the 
same stock. I have not been able to trace our Colonel William 
McCullough to this family, but his father, Benjamin, came from 
the North of Ireland, the same family names are common to all, 
and I am of the opinion that he was descended from or related 
to them. At all events, I give the following "Genealogy," etc., 
for what it is worth : 

The Genealogy of James McCulloch, Esq., of Grogan, from 
Sir Cullo O'Niel, first Laird of Myrton in Scotland, who was a son 
of the family of Clansboys in Ireland. 

James McCulloch, of Grogan, son of William McCulloch, Esq., 
of Brandalstown, son of Alexander Laird of Myrton, son of Simon 
Laird of Myrton, son of Henry of Killerar and Margaret of Myrton, 
which Henry was son-in-law of Sir Alexander Laird of Myrton, 
son of Sir Eleseus Laird of Myrton, son of Sir Norman Laird of 
Myrton, son of Sir Alexander Laird of Myrton, son of Sir Gulfred 
or Godfrey Laird of Myrton (who assumed the surname of McCullo) 
son of Sir Cullo O'Niel, first Laird of Myrton. 
"Memoirs Relative to the House of Myrton": 
About the beginning of the 14th century, the Irish, being 
desirous to shake off the English yoke, invited Robert de Bruce, 
King of Scotland, to assist them, and in case of success determined 
to make Edward de Bruce King of Ireland. 

Edward de Bruce landed in the North of Ireland, at the head 
of 6000 veteran Scots soldiers, in 131 5, and drove the English out 
of Ulster, the first campaign. He then marched through Ireland 
several times, and forced the English into their strongholds and 
fortified places; but always returned to Ulster for his winter 
quarters. 

Edward de Bruce about 13 16 preferred Cullo O'Niel to be 
Captain of horse in his army. In October, 131 7, the English and 
the Scots fought a battle near Dundalk, and Edward de Bruce 
was killed by one of the gentlemen volunteers named Malpars. 
Captain Cullo O'Niel then killed Malpars, and recovered Edward 

141 



Gbe IRusltna ffamils 



de Bruce's sword, and made good his retreat to Robert de Bruce's 
army — not far away. King Robert retreated to Connor, where 
he wintered his army, and the next spring abandoned all the Irish 
posts, and carried his army back to Scotland. 

Captain Cullo O'Niel, and many other Irish officers of Edward 
de Bruce's army, went with King Robert to Scotland, who there 
knighted Captain Cullo O'Niel, and preferred him to be his stand- 
ard bearer and secretary of state; and gave Sir Cullo O'Niel lands 
in Lome, as likewise the lands of Myrton, and Achawan, which 
comprehend Killerar and Ardwell in Galloway. Sir Cullo's charter 
is dated at Dunstaffnage, holding in fee blank form, the reddendo 
being a rose to the King to smell at when he comes to Myrton. 
Sir Cullo O'Niel died in the year 1331, and left his estate of Myrton 
and other lands in Galloway to his eldest son Sir Godfrey, who 
assumed the name of McCullo, and Sir Godfrey McCullo had his 
charter renewed at Perth in 1332, by David de Bruce, then King 
of Scotland. Sir Godfrey died in 1358, and was succeeded by his 
eldest son Sir Alexander McCullo, who died in 1399, and was suc- 
ceeded by his eldest son Sir Norman McCullo, who had his charter 
renewed at Kothsay in 1400 by Robert the Third, King of Scot- 
land, and was knighted in 1429 by King James, and died in 1445, 
and was succeeded by his eldest son Sir Eleseus McCullo, who died 
about the year 1448, and was succeeded by his eldest son Sir Alex- 
ander McCullo, who died about 1524, without male issue; and 
was succeeded by his son-in-law Henry McCulloch of Killerar 
and Margaret his daughter (which Henry was descended from 
Thomas, second son of Sir Norman McCullo), who got their charter 
renewed by King James the Fifth in 1525, and died about 1561, 
and were succeeded by their eldest son Simon McCulloch, who got 
his charter renewed by Queen Mary, daughter of James the Fifth, 
and died in 1592, and was succeeded by his eldest son William 

McCulloch, who died about the year , and was succeeded by 

his eldest son Alexander McCulloch, who, finding his estate much 
embarrassed by family debts, borrowed some large sums of money 
from a Doctor McCulloch in London, the repayment of which he 
secured by heritable bonds, and put his estate of Myrton &c. into 
the hands of his brother-in-law, John McCulloch Laird of Ardwell, 
designing that the rents thereof should clear his debts — and after 
having fixed his affairs in such manner, Laird Alexander came to 

142 



MtlUam flfecCullougb 



Ireland with his family to Sir Henry O'Niel, who gave him lands 
near the main water; where he resided until his death, which 
happened in 1643, and was succeeded by his brother, William Mc- 

Culloch, Esq., of Brandalstown, who died , and left two sons, 

to wit: James of Grogan and Henry of Brandalstown. John 
Laird of Ardwell turned out a bad trustee to Laird Alexander 
and his family, having bought up for his own use all the old family 
debts, and heritable bonds affecting the Myrton estate, &c, and, 
under color thereof, Ardwell and his family continued possessors 
of Laird Alexander's Scotch estates — and had a son named Alex- 
ander, who was knighted by King Charles the Second. But, how 
William of Brandalstown came to submit to such frauds, I have 
not been able to trace. 

The Genealogy and Memoirs of the House of Myrton herein 
contained, I transcribed from an old Manuscript, which I found 
among my father's papers; but made small alterations in the 
diction of the Memoirs, but none in respect to facts. 

J. McC. 

October ^4, 1767. 

N. B. — The Manuscript is not attested by any persons, but I 
believe the contents to be true. 

Mem. — The above is a copy of a transcript of the original 
Memoirs, in the handwriting of James McCulloh, Esq., of Camdery, 
and now in the possession of Henry Eustace McCulloh, Esq., who 
favored me with a sight of it. 

J. I. 
N. Carolina, June 9, 1772. 

James of Grogan, the last mentioned of that name in the fore- 
going Genealogy, had among other children the three following: 
William, James, Henry, and a daughter married to Charles Ma- 
cartney, Esq., of Dublin. William had issue James (now of Cam- 
dery, near Dundalk in Ireland, in whose possession the Memoirs 
are, and from whom the copy referred to was obtained), who is 
yet a bachelor. William, a merchant in Dublin, who is now a 
widower. By his wife (whose name was Coleman) he had three 
children, now living — two daughters and a son — Henry (late Sec- 
retary of this Province), two of whose daughters are now living 
there. 

M3 



Gbe TRueling jfamity 



James married Mary, the daughter of James Ferguson, M.D., 
of Belfast in Ireland, by whom he had issue two daughters, Mar- 
garet and Jane. Margaret was married Aug. i, 1750, to Mr. Francis 
Iredell, merchant in Bristol, son of Rev. Mr. Iredell of Dublin. 
Their issue is as follows: 

James, b. 5th October, 1751 (N. S.). 

Francis, b. 21st December, 1752. 

Charles, b. 1756. 

Arthur, b. 1758. 

Thomas, b. 8th December, 1761. 

Mr. Henry McCulloh was the grand-uncle of the subject of 
this Memoir (James Iredell). He and his son, Henry Eustace 
McCulloh, especially, were destined to shape the career and deter- 
mine the character of the boy (James Iredell). The former, at a 
very early period, became connected with the Province of North 
Carolina. He had been Secretary of the Province, and had been 
appointed his Majesty's surveyor, inspector, and comptroller of 
the revenue and grants of land; and speculated largely in crown 
lands. It is said he obtained grants for about a million acres of 
land. It is further said, that subsequently his son, Henry Eustace 
McCulloh, settled his father's accounts with the Crown with so 
much tact and address, as to retain 64,400 well-selected acres, 
without the payment of a single dollar. About the year 1736, 
Henry McCulloh began to introduce emigrants from Ireland to 
occupy his lands, and soon the number swelled to between three 
and four hundred. They settled at first in the counties of Duplin 
and Bladen, but gradually spread westward. His fortune, which 
was large, was greatly embarrassed by this enterprise, as he fur- 
nished the settlers the means of crossing the Atlantic. He died 

1778. 

Henry Eustace McCulloh, after the usual term at the Inner 
Temple, was regularly called to the bar. He came to North Caro- 
lina about 1761, and resided here constantly until 1767, during 
which time he was chiefly occupied as agent for his father, and 
served as a member of Governor Dobbs' council. He was Collector 
of Customs for Port Roanoke for many years, and had also the 
honor of representing the Province at the several Boards in Eng- 
land, his father attending to this business while he was absent in 
America He returned to England in 1767; but came 

144 



THIlUliam flncCullougb 



again to North Carolina in 1772, where he remained until June, 
1773, when he again returned to England. In 1772 he obtained 
a conveyance from his father of all his property in America, the 
other children all being deceased. Judge Iredell became his agent 
in America. During the Revolution all his lands here were con- 
fiscated ; but he retired to a country-seat in the vicinity of Lon- 
don, with an income of twelve hundred guineas per annum, where 
he died. 

So, also, on the confiscating of Tirconnell, and the settlement 
of British colonies called the "Plantation of Ulster," in the reign 
of James I, the following families are in Pynnar's Survey, A. D. 
161 9, as the possessors of Donegal: "James MacCullagh," etc. 
(O'Hart's Irish Pedigrees, 1881, p. 549, in Boston Public Library.) 

On pp. 132, 133, 1 have said, that Hannah McCullough, daughter 
of Captain Benjamin and sister of Colonel William, married Jacob 
Piatt in 1779, and removed to Kentucky. On the death of John 
H. Piatt, one of his descendants, some years since, among his other 
effects there was found an old iron seal, with an ivory handle, with 
a coat-of-arms engraved upon it, that was supposed to be the 
Piatt " coat-of-arms. " It was that of a naked arm embowed, with 
a hand throwing a dart. This old seal presently passed into the 
hands of Colonel Donn Piatt, of Cincinnati (now dec'd), and was 
presented by him to Theodore Dehon Smith, son of General Thomas 
Kilby Smith, and is now in the possession of Thomas Kilby Smith, 
Jr., of Philadelphia, Penna., his brother. In 1898, Mr. Smith sent 
this seal, with the Piatt Family Tree, to "Andrews' American 
Armory," London, England, for investigation, as no one here could 
vouch for its authenticity. It was returned, with proof sheets of 
all Family Trees concerned, and among others the McCullough 
Tree, with the supposed "Piatt Arms" attached, and the motto 
" Vi et animo." Mr. Smith thought this a clerical error, but after 
looking the matter up, he discovered several McCullough Arms, 
with similar crests and mottoes, that were so nearly identical with 
this ancient seal, that he came to the conclusion, that this was 
the Family Seal of the McCullough family, brought over from Ire- 
land by Captain Benjamin McCullough, when he emigrated to 
America, and that said Hannah McCullough must have taken it 
west with her, when she married Jacob Piatt, and emigrated to 
Kentucky in 1799. These facts were given me by said Thomas 

E 1 ©] US 



ftbe IRusItng family 



Kilby Smith, Jr., in a letter December 29, 1899, and also repeated 
orally. 

Since writing the above, I am bound to say, Mr. Smith has 
notified me, that he thinks he was in error as to this "old seal," 
and believes it belongs to the " Barnett Family "of Virginia (pp. 
133, 139), with whom they also intermarried. But I think I will 
let it stand, as a good specimen of genealogical romance, and also 
because I believe the McCulloughs are really entitled to some such 
arms. As bearing upon the above, and of interest to many, I give 
the following additional facts relating to the McCulloughs or Mc- 
Cullochs, gleaned from different books in the said Philadelphia 
Library and elsewhere, and submit the same for what they may 
be worth: 

McCulloch, Sir John, of Myretoun. 1 His dau. Grizel wedded John Vans 
or Vaux, Esq. ; claims to belong to House of Vaux celebrated in every country 
in Europe, of Barnbarroch, son of Patrick, son of Sir John of Barnbarroch. 
His dau. Agnes married Sir Wm. Maxwell, of Monteith. (Burke's Hist, of 
Commoners, Vol. I, p. 439.) Sir John Vans, of Barnbarroch, married Janet, 
dau. and heiress of Sir Simon McCullough, of Myretoun. He was slain in 
battle of Pinkie, 1547. (Ibid., p. 438.) 

Arms. Quarterly; 1st & 4th, arg. a bend gu. ; 2d & 3d, arg. a chev. 
between in chief two cinquefoils gu. with a cross crosslet fitchee sa. in centre 
and a base a saltire couped. 

Crests. First. A lion rampant, holding scales in the dexter paw. 
Second. An eagle issuant and regardant ppr. 

Supporters. Two savages, with clubs in their hands, and wreathed 
about the middle with laurel. 

Motto. "Be faithful." (Ibid., 439.) 

McCulloch, David, Esq., of Ardwell, Kirkcudbright. A naked arm and 
hand throwing a dart ppr. Motto. Vi et animo. (Fairbank's Crests. Vol. I, 
p. 306; Vol. II, pi. 42; Crest 13. Burke's Visitation of Arms, Vol. II, p. 70.) 

McCulloch. Sco. a naked arm embowed, throwing a dart. (Ibid., 
Family Crests, Vol. I, pi. 92; Crest 14.) 

Andrews' American Armory, p. 185, in New Jersey State Library, 
says: McCullough Arms. Argent, on a cross azure five pheons. Crest. A 
cubit arm holding a dart. Motto. Vi et animo. 

McCulloch. Sco. a hand throwing a dart, ppr. Motto. Vi et animo. 
(Vol. I, Family Crests, pi. 6i, No. 19.) 

McCulloch (Myrtoun, 2 Co. Wigton, bart.) Erm. fretty gu. Crest. A 
hand throwing a dart. ppr. Motto. Vi et animo. (Family Crests, Vol. I, 
p. 302.) 



1 This seems to be the same as "Myrtoun." 

2 This seems to be the same as "Myretoun." 

146 



TOtlliam flricCulIouGb 



McCulloch (Muill, Co. Wigton). Erm. fretty gu. Crest. A hand throwing 
a dart ppr. Motto. Vi et animo. 

McCulloch (Barnholm, Co. Kirkcudbright). Erm. a fret engr. gu. on an 
escutcheon az. three wolves' heads erased or. Crest. A hand throwing a dart 
ppr. Supporters. Two men in armour, each holding a spear ppr. Motto. 
Vi et aninto. (Family Crests, Vol. I, p. 302. Burke's Gen. Armory, 637. 
Rietstap's Armorial General, Vol. II, p. 121.) 

Here are the names and addresses of some modern McCulloughs 
abroad, if anybody chooses to look them up: 

McCulloch, Lad}'- Margaret B., wid. Sir James (1867); Elmstead Wood, 
Kent, Eng. ; McCulloch, Sir James Acheson, M.D. (1896), Dublin. Address, 
Solerno, Galway. (Burke's Peerage, p. 1760.) 

McCullagh, Sir James Acheson, M.D., son of John, of Newry, Co. Down, 
b. 1854, resides 27 Clarendon St., Londonderry, Ireland. 

McCullough, Capt. Robert Henry Frederick, son of Robert, of Hymen- 
town House, Cahir, Co. Tipperary, Ireland, b. 1869. Care of Cox & Co., 
Charing Cross, London, Eng. 

McCulloch, Edgar, was Bailiff of Guernsey, 1844, and knight May 8, 
1886. (Book of Dignities (1890), p. 669.) 

McCulloch, James, was Ulster King of Arms, March 22, 1759. (Ibid., 572.) 

McCulloch, Sir James, was Knight Commander of Order of St. Michael 
and St. George, March 9, 1874. (Ibid., 797.) 




Hbbenbum 



Since completing this work, I have been favored by Dr. 
Fowler (p. 24) with a copy of his recent book, entitled " The 
Correspondence of William Fowler, of Winterton, in the County 
of Lincoln, edited by his grandson, Joseph Thomas Fowler, M.A., 
D.C.L., F.S.A., Durham, 1907." This has been compiled chiefly 
from the letters of William Fowler, the eminent antiquary (p. 29, 
etc.), and printed privately (only fifty copies), "for the family 
connexions and their particular friends." These letters are 
mostly a century old and more, relating to the Fowlers, Rus- 
lings, and others, and the whole book is a monument to the 
genius, industry, and devotion of Dr. Fowler. Copies have been 
placed in the Library of Congress, Washington, D. C, the New 
Jersey State Library here, and distributed among relatives in 
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Canada. 

J. F. R. 

Trenton, N. J., December, 1907. 




Unber 



Account (old) of McCullough Fam- 
ily, 140 

Allen, Kezia, 76 

"All Saints' Church," Winterton, 13 
to 20 

Andersontown, home of James Rus- 
ling (2), 7-60 

Angles and Danes, 14 

Arms, Rusling, 21; Fowler, 36, 37 
38, etc.; Hankinson, 124; McCul- 
lough, 145, 146, 147; Piatt, 145; 
Barnett, 146 

Armstrong, Nathan, genealogical 
record of, 1 18-124 

Asbury, Bishop Francis, at Asbury, 
N. J., 1796, etc., 128-129; town 
named after him, 128 

Asbury Circuit, 9-73 

Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church, 
129-130; memorial window to 
Gershom and Eliza B. Rusling 
there, 130; also memorial tablets 
to Col. McCullough and Bishop As- 
bury, 130 

Asbury, N. J., James Rusling (1) in- 
terred there, 8; "Rusling Plot" 
there, 8; Mary Fowler Rusling 
inscribed there, 8-22; Hannah 
Rose Rusling interred there, 44; 
home of Col. Wm. McCullough and 
family, 128-13 1; many Ruslings, 
Hankinsons, McCulloughs, etc., 
interred there, 130 



Atwood, Rev. Anthony, 73 
Axholme, Isle of, 10 
Ayres, William, 96 

Sarah A. Rusling, 96 

Banghart, Rev. George, 52 
Banks, Sir Joseph, patron of Wil- 
liam Fowler, the antiquary, etc., 

2 9-33 
Bartine, Revs. David and D. W., 9 
Bath, Me., home of Thos. V. Fowler, 

25-26 
Beattystown, 7 

Bells in Winterton Church, 19, 20 
Beswick, Francis, 7 
"Beswick Tract," 6-7 
Bodine, John, 98 

Sarah J. Sharp, 98 
Bonaparte, King Joseph, 8 
Bond, Capt. William, War of 1776, 

125 
Bottesford Manor, 10 
Bray, Stacy B., 78; his Family 
Record, 78 

Eliza K., 78 

Emma (Rusling), 78 
Brown, David Paul, 53 
Budd Family, 140 

Samuel W., 135-140 

Rev. William, 129-140 

Chadwick, Ada L., 65 

Charlotte Rusling, 65 



149 



flnfcei 



Chadwick, John L. (i), 65 

John L. (2), 65 
Christian Advocate, New York, 46- 

49, 50, 75, 132 
Civil War, England, effects on 

churches, 16, 17 
Class M. E. Church, Hackettstown, 
N. J., 1805, James Rusling leader, 
46 
Collins, Rev. Benj., 72 
Cook, Arthur, 127 

Hannah, 126 

Capt. James, 126 

John, 127 

Mark Q., 103 

Mary E. Rusling, 103 
Cooper, Rev. Ezekiel, 128 
Cornell, Albert D. (1), 103; his 
Family Record, 103 

Albert D. (2), 103 

Harriet E. Rusling, 102-103 

J. Rusling, 103 

John A. Rusling, 103 

Stephen, 103 
Cox, Eliza K., 78 

William, 78 

Danes and Normans, 14 
Dawson, Joseph, 9-10 
Deems, Charles F., 136 

Rev. Charles M. F. (D.D., 
LL.D.), 132, 135, 136 

Rev. Edward M. (D.D.), 136 

Marian J. Verdery, 136 

Theodore, 136 
Demarest, Dr. F. F. C, 78 

Frederick R., 78 

Miriam H. Rusling, 78 

Theodore F., 78 

William C, 78 
Dickerson, Ann, 7 
Dickinson College, 55, 80, 82, 83, 84, 

135 
Disosway, Anna Letitia, 135 
Edward, 135 
Frank, 135 
Israel Doty, 135 



Disosway, Letitia McCullough, 135 

Letitia, dau. of Theodore, 136 

Mark R., 135 

Mary, 135 

William, 135 
Domesday Survey, 13-14 
Down, Charles, 47 

Hannah Rusling, 47 

Maria, 47 

Phcebe, 47 

Sidney, 47 

Sophia, 47 

Sylvan, 47 

William, 6-45; obituary, 46; 
Family Record, 47 
Durbin, Rev. John (D.D., LL.D.), 52 
Durham, 13, 24 

Easton, Pa., home of William Down 
and Hannah Rusling, 45, and of 
James Rusling (2), 60 
Egberts, 6 

Encke, Florence L., 105 
James Fowler, 105 
Joseph D., 105 
Joseph R., 104, 105 
Lewis Cass, 105 
Mabel M., 105 
Mercy Rusling, 104 
Samuel G., 104; his Family 

Record, 104, 105 
Sarah L., 105 
"English Settlement," near New- 
burgh, N. J., 7 
Engravings of William Fowler, an- 
tiquary, etc., 18, 19-28, 30, 31 
Epworth, home of John Wesley, 9,24 
Esler, George Gifford, 139 

Elizabeth Barnett Smith, 139 

Family Record of Bray, Stacy B. 

and Emma Rusling, 78 
of Budds, 140 
of Cook, Mary Emma, 103 
of Cornell, Harriet E., 103 
of Down, William and Hannah 

Rusling, 47 



150 



Unfcei 



Family Record of Encke, Joseph R., 

105 
of Encke, Samuel G. and Mercy 

Rusling, 104 
of Farley, Anthony Mindurt, 

i35-!38 
of Fowlers of Winterton, 34- 

35-3 6 
of Hankinson, Aaron, 120, 123 
of Hankinson, Henry and Mary 

McCullough, 111-120 
of Iredell, Francis and Margaret 

McCulloh, 144 
of Johnston, Ed. C. and Hannah 

Fowler Rusling, 66-67 
of Johnston, James Rusling, 68 
of McCullough, Capt. Benjamin 

(1) and Hannah Cook Henry, 

i34 
of McCullough, Benjamin (2), 

i3 6_I 37 
of McCullough, Col. William, 

etc., 134-135 
of McCullough, Dr. William 

Budd, etc., 138-139 
of Reese, Hiram and Maria 

Down, 47 
(old) of Rusling, Ruslyng, Rus- 

selings, etc., 10-11-12 
of Rusling, Anna, 65 
of Rusling, Charlotte, 65 
of Rusling, David, 64 
of Rusling, Edward F., 103 
of Rusling, Gershom (1), 76 
of Rusling, Gershom (2), 78 
of Rusling, Hannah, 47 
of Rusling, Jacob, 106 
of Rusling, James (1), 20 
of Rusling, James (2), 61 
of Rusling, James (3), 58 
of Rusling, Gen. James Fowler, 

84 
of Rusling, John, 102-103 
of Rusling, John A., 103 
of Rusling, Rev. Joseph, 58 
of Rusling, Joseph, son of Wil- 
liam (1), 65 



Family Record of Rusling, Robert, 
100-101 
of Rusling, Robert H., 103 
of Rusling, Rev. Sedgwick, 95 
of Rusling, Thomas Fowler, 64 
of Rusling, Thomas V. F., 61 
of Rusling, William (1), 63, 64 
of Rusling, William (2), 59 
of Ruslings (others), 107-108- 

109 
of Sharp, John P. and Mary 

Elizabeth Rusling 97 
of Smith, Gen. Thomas Kilby 
and Elizabeth Budd McCul- 
lough, 139 
of Van Antwerp, William, 137 
Farley, Anthony Mindurt, i35~ I 3 8 
Caleb, 138 
Catharine, 138 
Elizabeth, 138 
George, 138 

Keturah McCullough, 138 
William, 138 
William M., 138 
Fell, Jacob, 58 

Sarah A. Rusling, 58 
Fifth Street M. E. Church, Phila- 
delphia, Pa., 54 
First Ruslings in America, 1 
Flanigen, J. R., his tribute to Rev. 

Joseph Rusling, 50, etc. 
Flemington, N. J., 77, 110-117 
Force, Rev. Manning, 73 
Forman, Gen'l David, 114 
Fowler Arms, 36, 37, 38, etc. 

Homestead, 23-24 
Fowler, Ann (1), 34 
Ann (2), 35 
Annette, 36 
Charles (1), 36 
Charles (2), 36 
Charles Henry, 36 
Charles Henry B., 36 
Rev. Christopher Cecil (1), 24- 

36 
Christopher Cecil (2), 36 
Elizabeth (1), 10-23 

151 



Unfcei 



Fowler, Elizabeth (2), 


34 


Fowler, Patience, 34 


Elizabeth (3), 35 




Patience Smith, 34 


Elizabeth (4), 35 




Rebecca, 35 


Elizabeth (5), 35 




Rebecca Hill, 35 


Ellen, 36 




Richard, 34 


Ellen Eyre, 36 




Robert, 34 


Ethel, 36 




Rev. Robert, 24-35 


Hannah, 35 




Thomas, 34 


James (1), 24-35- 


36 


Thomas V., 3, 8, 25, 28, 30 


James (2), 35 




35. 36. 37. 43 


James (3), 35 




"Uncle Tommy," 25 


James (4), 35 




Wilhelmina Mary Emily, 36 


James (5), 35 




William, 5, 6 


James (6), 35 




William, the antiquary and en- 


James (7), 35 




graver, 18-19, 29, 30, 31, 32, 


James Francis W. 


.36 


33> 34. 3 6 > 37. 148 


Rev. John, 24-35- 


-36 


William, 34 


John, 34 




William (1), 35 


John, 35 




William (2), 35 


Joseph, 2, 4, 9, 24 


. 38. 42 


William (3), 35 


Rev. Joseph, 24 




William, 36 


Joseph (1), 34 




Rev. William (Hon. Canon), 24- 


Joseph (2), 34 




35. 3 6 


Joseph (1), 35 




Rev. William, 24 


Joseph (2), 35 




Fowlers of Frodingham, 37 


Joseph (3), 35 




of Winterton, 23-24 


Joseph (4), 35 




Fox Hill, 44 


Joseph (5), 35 




Frazer, Hannah, 44 


Joseph (6), 35 




Frodingham, 2, 37, 38 


Joseph Thomas, 35 


Furman, Capt. Moore, 125 



Rev. Joseph Thomas (Hon. Can- 
on), 1, 13, 19, 23, 24,34,35, 38 

Joseph 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, etc., 42 

Margaret (1), 34 

Margaret (2), 36 

Margaret (3), 36 

Mary (grandmother of author), 
wife of James Rusling (1), 20, 
22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 35, 46, 49; 
her brass plate in Winterton 
Church, 23-29 

Mary, 34, 35 

Mary Anne, 35 

Mary Harland, 35 

Mary Taylor, 34 

Mary Tomlinson, 35 

Mildred, 36 



George III and William Fowler, the 
antiquary, etc., 29-31-32-33, 34 

Glenworth, Elizabeth, creditor of 
James Rusling (1) in England, 2 

Gobies, intermarried with Hankin- 
sons, 119 

Gordon, Capt. Peter, 125 

Gravestones, Hankinson, at Yellow 
Frame Cemetery, Stillwater, Sus- 
sex Co., N. J., 116 

Hackettstown, N. J., 6, 9, 22, 44, 45, 
46, 61 (home of Robert Rusling 
and family, and of James Rusling 
(1) near there; also burial place 
of Mary Fowler Rusling, 22) 



J 52 



Uttoei 



Hall's Mills, 128 
Hammond, Lyman P., 103 
Margaret Rusling, 103 
Hance, Ann M. Rusling, 77 

Rev. E., 77 
Hankinson, Gen. Aaron (1), 113; in 
War of 1776, 114; his military 
and civil record, 114, 115; 
his grave and tombstone, 115, 
116; old Hankinson Family 
Record, 116, 117; his own 
Family Record, 120, 123; his 
Will, 121; Deeds, 121; his 
thirteen children, 124; of 
English ancestry, 123, 124; 
his Arms, 124 
Aaron (2), 116 
Ann (1), 117 
Ann (2), 118 
Ann (3), 119 
Anna Maria, 112 
Asher, 118 
Catharine, 118 
Daniel Thatcher, 122, 124 
Eliza, 118 
Eliza Budd, 112 
Elizabeth, 116, 118 
Elizabeth Hunt, 118 
Gravestones at Yellow Frame 

Cemetery, 116 
Hannah, 118 

Major Henry, 110; profession, 
1 10; military and civil record, 
in; Family Record, in, 120, 
121, 123 
Homestead, 117 
James, 118 
Jemima A., 118 
John (1), 117 
John (2), 123 
John S., 118 
John V., 119 
Joseph (1), 115 

Joseph (2), 117, 118; in War of 
1776, 117; his military and 
civil record, 117; his wax 
portrait, 117 



Hankinson, Joseph (3), 118 

Capt. Kenneth, 122; in War of 
1776, 122; his military and 
civil record, 122, 123 
Keturah M., 112 
Margaret Crissman, 120 
Margaret Goble, 118 
Mary, 116 

Mary McCullough, 1 1 1 (wife of 
Major Hankinson and grand- 
mother of General James F. 
Rusling) 
Mary Snyder, 113, 116, 122 

(wife of Gen. Aaron) 
Nancy, 118 
Phebe, 118 
Polly, 119 

Rachel Mattison, 117, 118 
Reuben, 122 
Richard, 122 
Sally A., 116 
Sarah, 118 
Susannah, 116 
Thomas, 116, 118, 122 
William (1), 116-118 
William (2), his business and 
civil record, 119, 120 
Harrisburg, 62 
Hazens and Hazletts, 46 
Healy Hall, 37 
Heard's Brigade, N. J. Line, 1776, 

122—126 
Henry or Heanrie, Michael, 127 

William, 127 
Hill, J., engraver of William Fowler, 
18, 19 
Sarah, third wife of Gershom 
Rusling (1), 77 
Hooper, Colonel Robert, Deputy 
Quartermaster and Commissary 
General, 125 
Hough, Jonathan and Letitia Brian, 

140 
Huff, Mamie, 67 

Hugh, Earl of Chester, 14, 15, 16 
Hull, Eng., birthplace of James 
Rusling (i), 1, 3, 4. 5. 6 3 



153 



Unfcer 



Iredell, Francis, 144 

Hon. James, U. S. Judge, etc., 
141 

Janes, Bishop, 75 
Johnston, Edward C. (1), 66 

Hannah Fowler Rusling, 66; 
her obituary, 67; Family 
Record, 68 

James J., 67 

James Rusling, 66; his Family 
Record, 68; children of: Han- 
nah, Ellen, Edward C. (2), 
Sarah, Janetta (2), Ancil B., 
Mary A., Clarissa, Clarinda, 
Nancy A., 68 

Janetta (1), 66 

Mary Fowler, 67 

Kennedy, Rev. John, 54 
Kimbles, 6-46 

Lacey, Judge Garrett, 71 
Lea, Alice Van Antwerp, 137 

Geo. W., 137 
Lincoln, Abraham, saying of, 4 
Linn, David, 123 

Sarah Hankinson, 137 
Lippincott, Benjamin, 61 

Sarah Mary Arabella Rusling, 61 
Loder, Rebecca Ray, 60 

William, 60 

Malton Priory and Register, 16 
Mansfield Church, 72-112 
Matthews, Hannah, second wife of 
Gershom Rusling, 76 

Jeremiah, 76 
Maxwell, John P. B., 112 
McCombs, Rev. Lawrence, 45, 46 

Sarah, 45 
MacCullagh, James, 145 
McCullo, Sir Godfrey, 142 

Sir Norman, 142 
McCulloch, Alexander, 142 

James, 141 

Sir John, 146 

John, Laird of Ar dwell, 142 



McCulloch, William, 141, 142 
McCulloh, Henry, 144 

Henry Eustace, 144 
McCullough Arms, 145, 146 

Family, old Account of, 140 
McCullough, Ann, 135-140 

Arabella Piatt, 139 

Arabella S., 138 

Benjamin (1), his life and char- 
acter, 125, 126; in War of 
1776, 126; military and civil 
record, 126, 127; home at 
Bloomsbury, New Jersey, 127; 
tombstone, 128; his Family 
Record, 134 

Charles Deems, 139 

E. Adele, 137 

Elizabeth Budd (1), 134 

Elizabeth Budd (2), 139; her 
Family Record, 139 

Elizabeth Van Antwerp, 137 

Frank L., 137 

Hannah, 135 

Hannah Cook Henry, her lands 
and children, 128-132, 134 

Hannah Piatt, 134 

Hattie Donnelly, 137 

Henry, 137 

Jane (1), 137 

Jane (2), 139 

John Moore, 139 

Julia Drake, 137 

Keturah, 138 

Keturah Hunt, 134 

Letitia (1), 135 

Letitia (2), 139 

Maria Bixler, 136 

Martha Barmore, 137 

Mary (1), 135 

Mary (2), 137 

Mary Grandin, 134 

Matilda Moore (1), 138 

Matilda Moore (2), 139 

Minnie, 139 

Robert, 127 

Robert Kennedy, 130-136-137 



iS4 



Unfcex 



McCullough, Sarah Jones, 139 
Sarah Lommerson, 137 
Col. William, 125; personal ap- 
pearance, 131; in War of 
1776, 125, 126; military and 
civil record, 125; home, As- 
bury, N. J., 128-130; tomb- 
stone, 131; obituary, 132; 
Family Record, 134 
Dr. William Budd (1), 138; his 
residences, 138; his Family 
Record, 138 
William Budd (2), 139 
McDermand, Anna Rusling, 65 
Delia, 65 
Iona, 65 
Lemuel, 65 
Mary Ann, 65 
Methodist Book Room, Philadel- 
phia, Pa., 49 
Hymnals, 1848-1907, 49-129 
Monroe, Rev. S. Y., 47 
Mulhallon, Dr. William, 137 

Elizabeth Van Antwerp, 137 
Musconetcong River and Valley, 6 

Newark, 49-53-62 

New Brunswick, 45-49 

Newburgh, 6, 7, 8; home of James 

Rusling (1) in America; Mary 

Fowler died at, 22; old Rusling 

homestead there, 56 
New Castle, Del., 56 
Newell, Hon. W. A., Governor of 

New Jersey, descended from Eliza 

D. Hankinson, 123 
New York, 1795, 4 
Nigel, Constable of Chester, 15 
Normans, 14 

Old Account of Fowler Family, 38 

of McCullough, 140 
Origin of Ruslings, 1 

Peacock, Edward, 10 

Pennington Seminary, 26-77-80-83 

Pennsylvania R. Rd. ( 62 



"Penny-town" or Pennington, 128 
Philadelphia, 1810, 28, 45, 49, 53 
Philadelphia Conference, 50-51 
Philadelphia Record, 1879, on Rev. 

Joseph Rusling, 50, etc. 
Piatt Arms, 145 
Piatt, Benjamin, 133 
Donn, 134 

Jacob, 132-133 ; in War of 
x 7 76, 133; his military and 
civil record, 133 
John, 132 

John H., his U. S. claim, 133-134 
Pitman, Rev. Charles, 75 
Place, Thomas, restorer of Winterton 

Church, 17-18 
Presbyterian Church, Hackettstown, 

N. J., 22 
"Press-gang," 3 

Rahway, N. J., 60 
Randall, Hon. Josiah, 53 
Rawlings, Anthony, 7 
Reading, John (1, 2, 3, 8), 120 

Hon. John, Governor of N. J., 

120 
John, husband of Elizabeth 
Hankinson, 120 
Reese Family, 47 
Hannah D., 47 
Hiram (1), 47 
Hiram (2), 48 
Jacob H., 47 
Maria Down, 47 
Mary Ann, 48 
Phoebe, 48 
Sarah, 48 
Sophia, 48 
William D., 48 
Ribble, John P., 71 
Robinson, William, first employer 
and surety of James Rusling (1), 2 
Rocelines, Rosselines, Ruslin, Rus- 
lyng, Rustling, and other spellings 
of name, 1, 2, 10 
Roman pavements, Winterton, Eng., 
19 



i55 



Ilnfcei 



Ross, Isabell, 78 

Thomas K., 78 
Rowlands, 6 

Rowland's Mills, 113, 117 
Roy, George W., and family, related 

to Hankinsons, 118, 1 19-124 
Royal family and William Fowler, 

antiquary, etc., 31, 32, 33 
Ruslin, Bryan, 11 

Hellin, 11 
Rusling, ancient records, 10, n, 12 

Arms, 21 

land and farm, 6 
Rusling, Abraham Lincoln, 64 

Adam, 64 

Albert Overton, 64 

Ann, 2, 12 

Ann Maria, 76, 77 

Anna, 64 

Anna, 65 

Anna Adelaide, 103 

Anna Elizabeth, 103 

Annas, 10 

Arabella, 103 

Arthur H., 103 

Blair, 103 

Caroline Keasby, 62 

Catharine, 64 

Charity Culver, 63 

Charlotte, 64 

Charlotte Clark Taylor, 62 

Christiana, 2, 45 

Clara Van Dyck, 101 

Clifford Fell, 59 

Cornelia Maria, 64 

David, 64 

David Wallace, 64 

Edward F., 103 

Electa Clark, 100 

Electa W. Cummins, 95 

Eliza A. Deming, 64 

Eliza B. Hankinson (mother of 
author), 76; her Memorial 
Window, Asbury, N. J., 130 

Eliza Keturah, 76, 79 

Elizabeth, 54 

Elizabeth Ada, 59 



Rusling, Elizabeth Mower, 59 

Elizabeth W. Hancock, 61 

Elleroy, 103 

Emily, 59 

Emily Elizabeth Wood (second 
wife of General James F. Rus- 
ling), 84 

Emily Ireland, 59 

Emily Wells, 84 

Emma (Bray), 76, 78 

Emma Rea Smith, 62 

Erie Jane, 64 

Fanny A., 103 

Frances C, 101 

Frederick Emil, 62 

George, local preacher Wesleyan 
Church, 2, 3 

George C, 96 

George M. (1), 100 

George M. (2), 100 

George Washington, 59 

Gershom (1) (father of author), 
69; trip West, 1823, 69; first 
home, Washington, N. J., 69; 
his gift for business, etc., 70; 
Methodist, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75; 
traits, 70, 71, 72; Memorial 
Windows, Trenton, N. J., 70; 
Asbury, N. J., 130; tribute 
by True American, 74; by 
Christian Advocate, 75 ; Fam- 
ily Record, 76 

Gershom (2), 78; Family Rec- 
ord, 78 

Hannah, 64 

Hannah Downs, 45; Family 
Record, 47 

Hannah Fowler Johnston, 66; 
Family Record, 66, 67, 68 

Hannah Maria, 96 

Hannah Matthews, second wife 
of Gershom Rusling (1), 76 

Hannah Rose, second wife of 
James Rusling (1), 44, 63 

Harriet E. Cornell, 102 

Helen Hannah, 101 

Hermon Culver, 55 



156 



Unfcei 



Rusling, Jacob, 106; interred Wash- 
ington, N. J., and Asbury, 
N. J., in " Rusling Plot " there, 
106 

James (i) (grandfather of au- 
thor), first in America, i; 
born at Hull, Eng., i; busi- 
ness in England, 2, 3; emi- 
grated to New York (1795), 
4; first letters home, 4, 5 
settled in New Jersey, 6 
died at Newburgh, N. J., 8 
character and traits, 9, 10; in- 
terred, Washington, N. J., and 
Asbury, N. J., in "Rusling 
Plot," 8; Family Record, 20 

James (2), 60; home, Ander- 
sontown, N. J., and Easton, 
Pa., 60; Family Record, 61 

James (3), 95 

James and Sons, 8 

Gen. James Fowler, 76-80; At- 
torney and Counselor-at-Law, 
Pa., N. J., and U. S., 80, 81; 
officer 5th N. J. and U. S. 
Vols., 80, 81; campaigns and 
battles, 81 ; in real estate, etc., 
81; appointments, 81; au- 
thor, 82; orator, 82; Metho- 
dist, 83; trustee Pennington 
Seminary and Dickinson Col- 
lege, 83; addresses, 82, 83; 
orders and politics, 84; books 
written by, 85 to 92; Family 
Record, 84 

James Fowler (2), 61 

James Jacob, 101 

James Wood, 23, 84 

James Worrell, 58 

John, 64 

John, 102; residence and offices, 
102; Family Record, 102 

John A. (1), 102, 103 

John P. B. S., 76, 79 

John William, 64 

Joseph, 64 

Joseph, 65 



Rusling, Rev. Joseph, 45, 49, 50, etc.; 
tribute by J. R. Flanigen, 50; 
poet, 5 1 ; preacher, 5 5 ; poems, 
56, etc.; Family Record, 58 

Joseph Fowler, 95 

Joseph Hancock, 61 

Joseph L., 101 

Joseph Loder, 61 

Joseph M., 58 

Josephine, 59 

Josephine Amanda, 65 

Kate Annie, 64 

Laura Bateman, 59 

Lewis L., 64 

Lilian May, 65 

Lillie A., 78 

Lillie Hancock, 61 

Lizzie B., 78 

Malvina, 64 

Margaret Bennett, 102 

Margaret Louise, 62 

Martha Clendenin, 96 

Mary, 64 

Mary, 103 

Mary Alice, 101 

Mary Elizabeth (Sharp), 97; 
Family Record, 97, 98 

Mary E. L., 100 

Mary Emeline, 58 

Mary Emily, 59 

Mary Emma, 103 

Mary Fowler, first wife of James 
Rusling (1), 20; her traits, 
22; from Fowlers of Winter- 
ton, 23; her brass plate in 
Winterton Church, 23; in- 
terred Hackettstown, N. J., 
22, but gravestone Asbury, N. 
J., 22; Family Record, 20 

Mary Freeman Winner, first 
wife of General Rusling, 84 

Mary Jane, 64 

Mary McCracken, 100 

Mary S. Woodruff, 95 

Matthias C, 95 

Mercy, 104; Family Record, 105 

Mima, 64 



157 



Unbei 



Rusling, Miriam H. (Demarest), 78 

Rebecca Ray Loder, 60, 61 

Rebecca V., 95 

Robert (1), 2, 10, 11; Family 
Record, 12, 13 

Robert (2), 99; home, traits, 
civil record, etc., 99; Family 
Record, 100, 101 

Robert (3), 101 

Robert H., 102, 103 

Sallie Florence, 59 

Sallie Laura, 59 

Sarah Ann, 96 

Sarah Ann Pursley, 64 

Sarah Hill, third wife of Ger- 
shom Rusling (1), 76, 77 

Sarah Hunter, 58 

Sarah Jane Fitch, 65 

Sarah Jane Fuller, second wife 
of Rev. S. Rusling, 95 

Sarah Mary Arabella, 61 

Sarah Rebecca, 61 

Sarah Van Dyck, 101 

Rev. Sedgwick, 56, 93; his 
memoir, 93; traits as preach- 
er, 94, 95; Family Record, 

95. 96 
Sedgwick, 61 
Sedgwick C, 96 
Stella Orton, 96 
Sylvester, 64 
Theodore, 103 
Theresa Forella, 64 
Thomas D. H., 96 
Thomas Fowler, 64 
Thomas Tolland, 64 
Thomas V. F., residence, 26; 

traits and civil record, 60: 

Family Record, 61 
Van Dyck, 100 
William (1), 63; traits, 63; 

Family Record, 63, 64 
William (2), 58 
William Henry, 65 
William Hunter, 59 
William James, 64 



Rusling, William James (1), 60, 61; 
in War of 1861, 60; military 
and civil record, 60, 61 ; Fam- 
ily Record, 62 
William James (2), 62; educa- 
tion and railroad service, 62 
William McCullough Henry 
Hankinson, 76; residence, oc- 
cupation, estate, etc., 77; in- 
terred Trenton, N. J., 77 
York Culver, 64 
"Rusling Plot, " Asbury, N. J., 8-106 
Ruslinge, Brian, 10, 11 
Ruslyng, Alice, 10 

William, 10 
Russelin, Antonie, 1 1 
Brian, 1 1 
Elizabeth, n 
Ellen, 11 
Marie, 10 
Ryno, Daniel K., 96 

Rebecca V. Rusling, 96 

Salem, N. J., burial place of Thos. 

V. Fowler, 60 
Saxton, Nathaniel, no 
Scharpenstein, J. P., etc., 98 
Schooleys Mountain, 6-26-44 

Springs, 8 
Scott, Bishop, 75 

Sir Walter, patron of William 
Fowler, the antiquary, 29 
Scunthorpe, England, first home of 
James Rusling (1), 2, 3, 14, 49, 60 
Shaffer, Rev. J. N., tribute to Rev. 

Joseph Rusling, 50 
Sharp, Ellen R., 98 
Emma L., 98 
Hannah Adeline, 98 
Hettie Skillman, 98 
John P., 97 
Joseph Rusling, 98 
Mary Ann, 98 
Mary Elizabeth Rusling, 97; her 

Family Record, 79 
Sarah Jane, 98 
Sedgwick Fowler, 98 



158 



flnfcei 



Sharp, William James Rusling (3), 98 
Simcoe, Canada, home of William 

Rusling, 63 
Sloan, Elizabeth, 112 

Isabella, 112 

Dr. John P. B. (1), 112; his 
Family Record, 112 

John P. B. (2), 112 

Keturah M., 111-112 

William, 112 

Rev. Wm. B., 112 
Smalley, John, 123 

Sarah Hankinson, 123 
Smith, Adrian Worthington, 139 

Arabella T., 139 

Caroline G., 139 

Elizabeth Barnett, 139 

Elizabeth Budd McCullough, 
133-139; her Family Record, 

x 39 
George N., 58 
Helen G, 139 

Mary Emeline (Rusling), 58 
Theodore Dehan, 139 
Gen. Thomas Kilby (1), 133- 
139; his Family Record, 139 
Thomas Kilby (2), 139-140 
Walter George, 139-140 
Wm. Butler Duncan, 139 
Stained glass windows by Wm. 

Fowler, 19, 29, 30, etc. 
Stevens, Rev. Abel (D.D., LL.D.), 49 
St. George's Chapel, Windsor, and 

Wm. Fowler, 32 
Stillwater, N. J., home of Aaron 

Hankinson and family, 113, 114 
Sussex Centenary, 114 
Sussex Reg't, War of 1776, 114 

Thompson, Col. Mark, 125 
Tomlinson, Mary, 35, 43 
Townsend, Catharine McCullough, 

137 

William, 137 
Trenton, N. J., second home of Ger- 
shom Rusling and family, 70; 
home of Gen. J. F. Rusling, 80 



Trotter, George, 137 

Nathan, 140 
True American, Trenton, N. J., 74 

Uhle, C. P., 1 01 

Hannah H. Rusling, 101 
Upjohns, 6-46 

Vail, Helen H. Rusling, 101 

W. H., 101 
Valentine, Caleb H., 101 

Frances C. Rusling, 101 
Van Antwerp, Alice, 137 

Elizabeth, 137 

James, 137 

Jane McCullough, 137 

Kate Anderson, 137 

Kate Cannon, 137 

Lenora P. Fisher, 137 

Lewis W., 137 

Louise Jane, 137 

Margaret Ann Dewitt, 137 

Margaret Strickland, 137 

Mary (1), 137 

Mary (2), 137 

Nicholas, 137 

Phoebe Stout, 137 

Theodore, 137 

Thomas Boyd, 137 

William, 137; his Family 
Record, 137 

William B., 137 

Lieut. William Budd, 137 
Verdery, Marian J. (Deems), 136 

Washington M.E. Church, 8, 70, 71, 72 

Washington, N. J., first home of 
Gershom Rusling and family, y t 
69; burial place of Hannah Rose 
Rusling, 44, of James Rusling (1), 
8, and of Jacob Rusling, 106 (after- 
wards all removed to Asbury, N. 
J., 8, 44, 106) 

Wellington, Duke of, patron of Wil- 
liam Fowler, the antiquary and 
engraver, 29 

Wesley, Rev. John, at Winterton, 
24. 25 



159 



Unfcei 



West, Col. Jacob, 125 

White, Henry Kirke, poet, 19 

Wilmington, 49, 53, 54 

Wilson, Rev. Ed. S., Vicar of Win- 

terton, 12, 37 
Winner, Rev. Isaac (D.D.), 71, 75, 84 

Mary Freeman (Rusling), 84 
Winteringham, 2, 3, 22, 24 
Winterton, 2, 3, 9, 10, n, 14, 15, 22, 

23. 2 4 
Church, "All Saints,'. 13 to 20, 

etc. 
Wood, Edward S., 84 
Ella P., 84 
Emily E. (Rusling), second wife 

of General Rusling, 84 
Ira W., 84 
Isaac, 84 



Wood, Isaac T., 84 

Lillie Hancock (Rusling), 61 

Milton Rusling, 62 

Milton S., 61 

Moses, 84 

William P., 84 
Woodruff, Col. James, 96 

Mary S. (Rusling), 96 

Yellow Frame Church, Stillwater, 
Sussex Co., N. J., 113, 115 
Cemetery, burial place of 
Gen. Aaron Hankinson 
and family, 113, 115, 116 
Young, Edward Johnston, 67 
Joseph Rusling, 67 
Robert, 67 
Robert L., 67 




DEC 23 190? 



